Caseyville Township

Caseyville Township

The village was named in honor of Zadock Casey, who held many high offices in the state. In 1830 he was elected Lieutenant Governor, was a member of Congress for many years, and forseveral terms served in the state legislature.

Prior to the laying out of the village, Charles Harbour, a wealthy Frenchman, erected a fine large brick residence, and a steam saw mill, which he operated for several years. The mill was erected in 1845.

It was laid out as a village in 1849, by the Illinois Coal Company, consisting of the following named parties: Hon. Zadock Casey, Judge Walter B. Scates, Charles Harbour, Malconib Robinson, Dr. Charles Barrett and John Roy. This company began the operation of coal raining extensively about this period. The mines were then worked by drifts, instead of shafts as now, two of which they dug into the side of the bluffs at this point. Until 1851, the coal was hauled to St. Louis by ox and mule teams across the bottoms. In February, 1851, the company completed a railroad from Caseyville to Brooklyn on which they immediately placed a locomotive, and rolling stock, and large quantities of coal were daily carried into St. Louis. /

The first house erected after the village was laid out, was in the spring of 1849, by Jameson Robinson. Dr. Barrett, erected four houses, John Eoy, eight, and Gov. Casey, two, about the time the company began operaticn?. In the same year, 1849, the following erected residences : - Belshazar Warner, Ealph Whitehead, Edward Bone, AVilliam Grice, and Mr. Bumesaw. The latter was a Frenchman, and the following year was killed in the mines. He was the first miner killed in the village. The same year, John Eoy built a large two-story frame building, and kept in it the first hotel, store and saloon. Eichard Gofi" was the company's blacksmith, and the first in the village. B. Warner also had a saloon in 1849.

In 1850 there were in the place about forty persons, including men, women and children, and the year following, when the railroad was completed, about one hundred and fifty were added to the population. The village has grown a little each year, with the increase of the mining interests and improvement of the surrounding country, and now contains about 800 population.

Ineorporation. - The place was incorporated by special charter in April, 1869. The members of the first board were - C. L. Muilberger. President; J. T. Hoeltmann, Frederick Euemler, John Eoy, J. W. Owens. In April, 1875, it came under the general law for villages. The present members are - John T. Hoeltmann, President ; Frederick Euemler, George Haig, David Morgan, G. Nuetzel, James Doyle, Sr., James Throly, Clerk.

School. - The present public school building in the south-east part of the village, was erected in 1872, and cost upward of |5000, including furniture. It is a fine brick building, two stories high, with belfry. It is a graded school and employs three teachers.

Business Teade Of 1881

General Stores, J. T. Hoeltmann, J. W. Owens, M. Jenkins, and Miller & Hueckel. Groceries, E. Webb, Mrs. A. Williams. Flour and Feed Store, F. Hoeltmann. Blacksmith Shops, F. Euemler, C. Schwarzkopf. Wagon Shop, Fred. Moser. Carpenter Shop, Wm- M. Kersey. Butcher Shop, Joseph Maisch. Motel, Brown House, Peter Brown, proprietor. Saloons, John Meyer, Jacob Mees, John Michel, F. Geisert, David Molloy, Fritz Nuetzel. Mill. - The saw mill built by Harbour, mentioned above, was converted into a flouring mill by John Eoy, and a few years afterwards was blown up. In 1866, Mr. Eoy rebuilt it and put in two run of burrs. It is a frame building, three stories high, in good condition, but at present it is not operated. Jerome Winstanley is the present owner.

Lodges. - Crescent, No. 426, 1. O. O. F., was instituted July 1st, 1870. Has a membership of 67, and is in good standing. Star of Hope, No. 149, Encampment, was chartered April 8th, 1880, and has considerable membership. A Temperance Society was organized here as early as 1851, and has a good membership.

Coal Mines. - The Savitz Bro's of St. Louis, are operating two coal mines on the O. & M. track, just east of the village, and employ about 120 miners. The mines are known as the Union and St. Clair. They are about one hundred and sixty feet in depth, and the veins will average full six feet. The former shaft was sunk by Walter Williams, in 1858, and the latter by Thomas Mayer & Bro., in 1862. The Black Diamond mine was sunk by Smith and Winnemier, in 1864. This mine is not now in operation.

Biographical Sketches

J. R. MiLLEE, representative from St. Clair county in the legislature from 1869 to 1872, was born in Warren county, Ohio, Oct. 31st, 1831. He was a student for several sessions at College Hill, six miles north of Cincinnati. Among his fellow students were Beu Harrison, of Indiana ; W. C. Gray, editor of of the Interior, and Murat Halstead, the editor of the Cincinnati Commercial. The means with which to get an education he obtained by working on a farm during the summer months. During the winter of 1850-1 he taught school near Cynthiana, Harrison county, Kentucky. He there formed the acquaintance of a couple of young men, with whom, in the spring of 1851, he started for California. He reached Salt Lake on the 24th of June, and remained there till the spring of 1852. He was in the employment of Howe & Cogswell, who carried on the mercantile business. He then went to California where he lived till 1856. He was engaged in farming in the Vacca Valley, Solano county, and part of the time followed teaming from Sacramento to the mouutains. He left San Francisco by steamer on the 21st of April, crossed the Isthmus, and arrived in Madison county, of this state on the 23d of May, 1856.

He engaged in farming near Collinsville. On the 25th of May, 1858, he married Melinda Nicklous, a native of Tennessee. In company with his brother, he then leased one of the O'Fallon farms near Caseyville. December 20th, 1860, he lost his arm in a threshing machine. Thinking that his days for physical labor were over, he left the farm, and for two terms taught school in Madison county ; but finding there was no prospect of accumulating money in that business, he went back with his brother to the farm near Caseyville. In the fall of 1868 he built his present residence, where he has lived since that date. He has been engaged in farming and fruit growing. He has four children living : Charles R., John E., Elsie and Mary Miller.

He at first belonged to the democratic party. His sentiments, however, were always anti-slavery, and in company with other freesoil democrats, when the republican party was organized, he became a republican. During the war of the rebellion he did all he could to aid the sanitary commission, assisted "in organizing the Union League at Caseyville, and was also an^ctive member of the Union League at Belleville. In November, 1868, he was elected a member of the state legislature, and was re-elected in 1870. The last General Assembly, of which he was a member, was the first which met after the adoption of the new constitution of tl^e state, and consequently much labor was entailed on the body. There were three regular sessions, and one called session occasioned by the Chicago fire. Mr. Miller served on the committee which visited Chicago to ascertain what measures were necessary for the restoration of the records of Chicago and Cook county. In the 26th General Assembly he was chairman of the committee on Federal relations. In the next assembly he was appointed chairman of the committee on education, at the solicitation of a number of the prominent educators of the state. His services in the legislature met with the approval of his constituents, and gained even the approbation of those who had been his political enemies. He efficiently supported the interests of St. Clair county, and early interested himself in the passage of a bill for the protection of coal miners, the bill compelling owners of mines to furnish an additional shaft for the purpose of ventilation and safety.

In 1872 he identified himself with the temperance movement and has since done everything in his power to forward the cause of temperance. His services as an orator, before temperance meetings, have been in frequent request. Since 1857 he has been a member of the Presbyterian church. In 1881 he was a delegate from the Alton Presbytery to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, which met at Buffiilo. He has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty-three years, and has been frequently chosen to represent that order in the Graud Lodge of the state. At the sessions of the Grand Lodge held at Danville, November, 1880, he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and in that capacity, has traveled extensively over the southern portion of the state, as a lecturer and instructor before Odd Fellows' Lodges.

John Shultz

One of the leading farmers of the American Bottom, was born at Wantage, Sussex county, New Jersey, August 16th, 1818. His great-grandfather, Christopher Shultz, was a native of Denmark, emigrated to America, and settled in Maryland, near Baltimore. Mr. Shultz's grandfather, John Shultz, was born in Philadelphia, and was a young man at the time of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, in which he enlisted at three diflferent times, serving altogether in the American army, several years. Frederick Shultz, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on Merritt's island, between New York and New Jersey, in 1792. He was raised principally in New Jersey, and at Wantage, in Sussex county, of that state, married Eleanor Dsnnis. Her fa,ther, Joseph Daanis, was born in New Jersey, though his parents came from England. After the war of 1812, Joseph Dennis moved to Lundy's Lane, Canada, and built the first mill constructed at thatplac3 after the war. His first wife died in New Jersey ; he was married again in Canada, and died there.

Mr. Shultz's father learned the miller's trade in New Jersey, serving an apprenticeship of fourteen years. About the year 1822, he went to western New York, and took charge of a mill at Attica. He was afterwards at Alexandria. He gained an excellent reputation as a miller; thoroughly understood the business, and assisted in securing for the flour of the Genesee Mills its wide reputation for excellence. Receiving injuries in his back, he engaged in farming, near Attica, New York. In 1834 he removed to Illinois) and died at French Village, in 1840. Mr. Shultz's mother died in 1852.

The first four or five years of Mr. Shultz's life were spent in New Jersey, and he then 'accompanied his father to the western part of New York. He was the third of a family of twelve children, of whom only three are now living. He went to school but little in New York. The free-school system was introduced into that State too late for him to take advantage of it. After coming to Illinois, he attended a night school one winter, kept in the hollow, about a mile above Caseyville. The teacher was James B. Needles, father of the ex-State Auditor, T. B. Needles.

Mr. Shultz first set foot on the soil of St. Clair county, on the 10th of December, 1834. In company with a younger brother, he traveled across the Bottom, past the spot where he now resides, and during the winter of 1834-5, was employed by a man living on the bluff, half a mile south of Cassyville. Part of the next year he worked in St. Louis, and, in 1836, he went to work on a steamboat - the old Chester - which ran between St. Louis and New Orleans. He was steamboating during the summer of 1636, 1837 and 1838, and rose to the position of mate. In 1838 he engaged to go as mate on the Moselle, a boat running between St. Louis and Cincinnati. Through some misunderstanding, the mate who had accompanied the boat from Cincinnati, refused to give up his position, claiming that the time, for which he had hired, had not expired, and consequently Mr. Shultz postponed going on the boat until the next trip. This misunderstanding proved very fortunate, for, on that trip, the Moselle blew up in front of Cincinnati, and one hundred and seventy lives were lost in the disaster. This accident, which was one of the most terrible that ever occurred on the river, so alarmed his mother that she begged him to quit the river.

Fur sixteen years he hauled coal from the bluffs to St. Louis. He followed this business in winter. The occupation was not the easiest. Coal brought, in St. Louis, from eight to twelve and a half cents a bushel. In 1840, after his father's death, he rented a farm on the bluffs, below Caseyville, where the Sweigart stone house now is, and mined coal, bought teams and hauled the coal to St. Louis on his own account. This occupation was heavy and laborious, but profitable. In 1844 he bought eighty acres of land, in section fourteen of township two north, range nine west, for twelve dollars and a half an acre, which, at that time, was considered a high price. His present residence stands on this piece of land. He made this purchase during the high water of 1844. The highest part of the land was five feet out of the water during that flood - a fact which convinced Mr., Shultz that he would never have any trouble from high water. He fenced the land and brought it under cultivation in 1846. After raising a few crops of corn, he began growing wheat, and the place has since been famous for its large crops.

As soon as he had means, he began trading in stock. The breaking out of the war with Mexico gave him an opportunity for making considerable sums of money. Cattle rose in value from a cent and a half to three and four cents a pound. After the high water of '44, he purchased large quantities of stock at a low price, and was in a position to take the best advantage of the rise in prices.

He shipped many cattle to New Orleans. He followed trading in stock till 1854, when he went to California. Two of his younger brothers had gone to California in the spring of 1850, another in 1852, and, thinking there was money in the cattle business in California, where cattle then commanded a high price, he started in 1854, with several teams, and one hundred and eighty head of cattle, for the Pacific Coast. The journey, from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Summit Valley, California, occupied ninety-three days. At Fort Laramie he left a letter for home, and started on his journey westward, at four o'clock in the afternoon. That night the fort was attacked by the Indians and burned, and the garrison killed. He was in California fourteen months. He came home by the Nicaragua route, and passed through Nicaragua when Walker's filibustering expedition had control of the country. Part of their baggage was seized, but the passengers were not interfered with. He had taken his sisters to California, and there they remained. All his brothers and sisters are now dead, except one brother and one sister, who live in California.

He returned to Illinois in July, 1855, and on the 11th of September following, he married Amelia M. Williams, daughter of William W. and Nancy E. Williams. Mrs. Shultz was born in the American Bottom, January, 1837. Her father was an early settler of the Bottom, and his house, in section fifteen, was, at one time, the only house on the Caseyville road, between Papstown and the bluff. He was a carpenter by trade ; settled in the Bottom in 1832, and died in 1846. Mr. Shultz owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land. A view of his farm and residence is shown on another page. He has nine children living : Nannie E , Jesse L., John D., Amelia Malvina, Ida J., Sarah A., Frances May, Mary Helen and Frederick William. Two beside, Isabelle and Agnes, died in infancy, the first, three weeks', and the latter, six months' old.

He has always been a democrat in politics. He voted for Martin Van Buren for President in 1840, and has voted for every democratic candidate for President since, except in 1876, when he was too unwell to go the polls. He is a man who has won success in life by his own efforts. His industry and energy have been the chief means by which he has made his way successfully through the world. In early life he possessed a strong and vigorous constitution. There was no labor or hardship too great for him to withstand. This course naturally brought its fruits, and, in late years, his health has suffered in consequence. He has been a man of temperate habits, and, though thrown much into various kinds of company, while on the river and in California, has never been addicted to the vices of drinking, card-playing, or other bad habits.

Dr. Wiggins, who has been engaged ia the practice of medicine at Caseyville since March, 1877, was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, on the 16th of October, 1855. His father, Louis Wiggins, was born at Cape May, New Jersey, was raised in that vicinity, and married' Anna R. Edwards, a native of the same part of New Jersey. In his early life he was in the mercantile business in Baltimore. In the year 1839 he came west, lived in St. Louis till 1858, and then moved to a farm near O'Fallon, and was engaged there in fruit-growing till his death on the 19th of July, 1878. His mother died near O'Fallon in 1863. Dr. Wiggins' health in early life was delicate, and for this reason, at the age of nine, he went to live with some relatives at New Orleans, where he resided the most of the time till he was fifteen. His education was chiefly obtained in the district schools in the neighborhood of O'Fallon. For two years he was a student at the Natchez Institute, Natchez, Mississippi. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles Oatmen, and in 1875 entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1877. Immediately after his graduation he began practice at Casey ville. His marriage occurred on the 21st of October, 1880, to Miss Louisa Moeller, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the daughter of Charles Moeller. In bis political affiliations. Dr. Wiggins is a member of the republican party. He has devoted himself to his profession with energy and assiduity.and though still young in the profession, has made a successful record as a physician. He received his ad eundem degree in 1879.

Dr. Lloyd T. Miller

Dr. Miller, who has been practicing medicine at Caseyville for the last fifteen years, was born near Burkittsville, Frederick county, Maryland, May 15th, 1841. He is descended from a family of German origin, though his ancestors had for several generations lived in Maryland. His father was Peter Miller, and his mother's name, before marriage, was Huldah Arnold. The former was a farmer, and died in Washington county, Maryland. The latter died in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was the younger of two children by his father's second marriage. He was principally raised in Washington county, Maryland, and attended the ordinary subscription schools in that part of the state. In May, 1857, then sixteen years of age, he came west, and for a time nrade his home at Palmyra, Marion county, Missouri, where some of his brothers and sisters had settled. He attended the high school at Palmyra, Missouri, and there completed his scholastic education. Having determined on the study of medicine, in the fall of 1861 he entered the old McDowell Medical College, and pursued his medical studies during the winter of 1861-2. The McDowell School having gone to pieces, in consequence of Dr. McDowell leaving St. Louis for the southern confederacy, (the war of the rebellion then being in progress), the next winter he attended lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1863.

After his graduation he was commissioned as assistant-surgeon of the Third Missouri Regiment, to which, however, he was attached only a short time. In the fall of 1863 he entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. In the spring of 1864 he received a diploma from this institution, which then had a world-wide reputation as a medical school. The succeeding summer he began I)ractice in St. Louis, but in June, '66, came to St. Clair county and established himself as a physician at Caseyville, where he has since remained. He was married in April, 1868, to Margaret Blake, daughter of Ezra and Mary A. Blake. Mrs. Miller was born and raised about a mile north of Caseyville. Her father was a native of New Jersey. Her mother was a daughter of George Moifett, one of the early residents of that part of St. Clair county. Dr. Miller has three children, one son and two daughters..

He is a democrat in politics. He served one term as justice of the peace. He was appointed post-master at Caseyville under Grant's administration, and has filled that office for the last six years. For ten years he has been engaged in the mercantile business. He has the only drug store in Caseyville, and carries beside a general stock of groceries and hardware. He has been employed continuously in the practice of medicine, and has gained the reputation of an able and successful physician, and takes a warm interest in his profession, and has embraced every opportunity to

During the winter of 1878-9 he attended lectures at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and graduated ; so that he now holds diplomas from three leading medical colleges. Two years ago he also undertook farming, and now resides on a farm a mile north of Caseyville.

John T. Hoeltmann

Mr. Hoeltmann, now the oldest business man at Caseyville, is a native of Werne, Westphalia, Prussia, and was born on the 6th day of July, 1826. His father was also named John T. Hoeltmann, and his mother's name before marriage was Catherine Jagetho. The subject of this sketch was the next to the youngest of a family of seven children. He was raised in the same town where occurred his birth. As is the custom in that country, he went to school from the age of seven to fourteen, and secured the elements of a practical business education. After leaving school he learned the tailor's trade, following an apprenticeship of three years. On the 1st of October, 1850, he married Magdalena Ermann, who was born at Seuden, Prussia. After his marriage he established a shop of his own and followed the tailoring business, till he concluded to emigrate to America. Disposing of his shop in March, 1855, the following May he left his native country. Landing at Baltimore, from that place he proceeded at once to St. Louis. He only remained two mon hs in that city.

Finding that there was an opening for a small business at Caseyville, he came to that town in August, 1855, and bought out an old store which had been carried on by John Roy and Charles Borkey. The store was small, and contained nothing very valuable. He purchased the whole stock for one hundred and twenty-five dollars. He began business in a modest and unpretentious way, but succeeded from the start, and was soon able to purchase a larger stock of goods and increase his business. The second year after coming to Caseyville he built, at a cost of nine hundred dollars, a building which he used for a store and residence, and in which he lived and did business till he erected his present store and dwelling in 1870. lie has given his whole attention to business matters, and enjoys the reputation of being an excellent business man.

The death of his first wife took place in 1869. By her he had seven children, whose names are Lena, Frank, Lizzie, Josephine, Phine, Amelia, and Frank William. Of these Frank, Phine, and Frank William are dead. Lena is the wife of Charles A. Singletary, of CoUinsville. His second marriage was on the 10th of November, 1870, to Louisa H. C Peters, who was born in Hanover, Germany. He has five children by this marriage - Anna, Ferdinand, Rosa, Louis, and Louisa. The two last are twins.

Ever since his residence in America Mr. Hoeltmann has been an active member of the republican party. His first vote for president was cast in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln, and he has been a member of the republican organization from that time to the present and has voted the republican ticket at every general election. At nearly every election since his residence in St. Clair county he has served as judge of election. In 18ti0 the citizens of Caseyville precinct had hard work to bring the total vote up to one hundred, but Mr. Hoeltmann has seen the place increase in population, until now three hundred votes are polled. From the time Caseyville was organized as a town, he has been a member of the Board of Trustees, and for about ten years was president of the board. A view of his store and residence appears on another page. He has always been regarded as a useful citizen and a man of great uprightness in his business dealings. He came to Casey ville without means, and has now reached a position among the substantial business men of St. Clair county. His career is a good example of what may be accomplished by due attention to business and fair and honorable dealing.

Louis Eversmann

A ErsiDEKT of Caseyville precinct, was born at the little settlement of Bunkum, on the 28th of August, 1846. His father, John Matthias Eversmann, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born on the 2d of February, 1816. He was married in Hanover to Elizabeth Obernuefemanu. In 1842 he emigrated to America and arrived in St. Clair county in June of that year. He settled on section nineteen, of township two north, range eight west. He brought with him to this country about two hundred dollars. He leased land for several years, and in 1846 or '47 purchased the farm of eighty-eight acres on which he lived till his death, on the 11th of February, 1873. When he died he owned one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land. He was a man of enterprise, and gave his children good opportunities for securing an education, sending e £ch one to St. Louis to school. His first wife died in 1853, and he then married Katharina Obernuefemann, her sister. He had nine children, of whcm five are now living. Mary, the oldest, is the wife of Herman Hannibal, of St. Louis. The next is Louis Eversmann. Louisa married Louis Thomas. Anna is the wife of John Berthesmann. The youngest, Lizzie Eversmann, is still unmarried. He was a man of industrious habits and a good citizen. He died in the communion of the Catholic church, and was buried at French Village,

Louis Eversmann was raised in the county and obtained his education principally in St. Louis, at a school connected with St. Joseph's church and the St. Louis university. He was married in October, 1871 to Louisa Gansmann, who was born at Collinsville, August 10th, 1854, daughter of Nicholas Gansmann and Clara Seitz. In 1878 he bought out the interest of the other heirs in his father's old farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres, which he now owns. He has five children: John Matthias, Anna, Lizzie, Nicholas, and Lcuisa. He is a democrat in politics, and one of the enterprising young men of the county.

Centerville Precinct

' HIS is an irregularly shaped precinct, in the western part of the county, bounded on the north by Prairie du Pont, Cahokia and Belleville ; on the east by Belleville and Bichland ; on the south by Richland precinct and Monroe county, and on the west by Monroe county and Prairie du Pont precinct. It contains 51i square miles, or 33,120 acres. Agriculturally it is an excellent body of land, especially well adapted to the raising of wheat. From its centre, water flows to every point of the com pass. Ross' creek rises in sections 16 and 17, T. 1 S. R. 9 W., flows a south-easterly course, emptying its waters into "West Fork, on section 36. West Fork of Richland, takes its rise in sections 23 and 24, flows a southerly course, leaving the township on section 36. Spring creek takes its rise in a perennial spring, on section 31, flows a southerly course, leaving on section 33. Prairie du Pont creek is fed by numerous springs in sections 18, 9 and 3, the tributaries from which leave the precinct along its northern boundary. It is well watered and well drained. Along its northwestern boundary are the bluFs which overlook a part of the Great American bottoms. At the foot of these bluffs on an old military claim is Hill Lake, a resort for fishermen. Not alone are the water courses followed by strips of timber, but here and there, are fine natural grovesi which seem to beautify the landscape.

Not only is this precinct well adapted to the raising of grain, but underneath the surface lie great mines of wealth. Coal of excellent quality abounds, in places cropping out at the surface. The first ever taken out was by a blacksmith, Joshua Hughes, as early as 1830, from a hill-side, about a half mile south-east of Centerville. Stone, both lime and sand, is quarried in sections 31 and 32, T. 1 N. R. 9 W. It is claimed to be of very superior quality. The quarries of Wm. Lark were the first opened, in 1835.

Vague rumors are circulated, too, about silver having been once mined near Centerville. Two Mexicans, years ago, no one knows when, directed by divining rods, staked a claim, built a cabin in the solitudes of a vast wilderness, and every now and then visited the settlements with pockets well lined with silver. At last they disappeared. A visit to their hut led to the discovery of an earthen oven, of perhaps eighteen inches in thickness, which bore traces of having been used in the reduction of silver ore. It is also affirmed that a tanner living in Monroe county knew the location of the mine. Now and then he would mysteriously appear from the surrounding woodlands, carrying sacks of crude ore, which he exchanged in St. Louis for provisions. Before his death he told his wife the location of the silver quite accurately, describing the vicinity of the deserted hut of the Mexicans. Search was instituted and quite vigorously prosecuted without avail, yet many citizens firmly believe silver to be among the undeveloped resources which will yet contribute to the wealth of this community. This precinct was formed by order of the county court, June 5th, 1839. The first election was held at the house of Lewis Pulse. Isaac S. Reed, Robert Gooding and Philip Creamer acted as Judges of the election. At present there are three voting places in the precinct.

Fiest Laxd Enteies

The first land entries in T. 1 S. R. 9 W., were by Thrmas Harrison, of 320 acres, being the West J of section 1, Sept. 7th, 1814 ; by Sinil Lacey, of 340 acres, being the N. E. \ and the S. W. \ sect. 2, Aug. 15, 1815; by Daniel Whitesides, 160 acres, being the N. W. i sect. 2, Dec 16, 1814 ; by James Johnson, 320 acres. South half sect. 3, Dec. 16, 1814; by Martin Randleman, 160 acres, being the S. E. i sect. 9, Aug. 16th, 1814; by Mathew Langford, 160 acres, being the N. E. i.sect. 23, Sept 6th, 1814 ; by Cornelius Gooding, 160 acres, being the 8. W. i sect. 10, Sept. 10th, 1816; by "William Morriscn, 160 acres, being the N. E. i sect. 1, April 10th, 1815. In that part of T. 1 S. R. 10 W., which lies in this precinct, firtt entiies were by Absalom Bradshaw,160 acres,. being the N. E. i Kct. 24, Sept. 17th, 1814; by Samuel Hill, 122S, acres in ftct. 4, Jan. 24lh, 1817. Before government lands had been survejcd, £cme claims had been made, and confirmed as follows : Claim l&CO, survey 429, to George Lunceford; claim 1054 survey 782, to Thomas Warrs; claim 339, survey 430, to George Lunceford ; claim 598, survey 557, to widow of Jacob Groot. All these lands were first claimed in payment of military services rendered in 1790, although some of the claims had been transferred. Representatives of the Lunceford family yet own and live on claim made by George Lunceford. Lunceford had been a soldier under Clark in the service of Virginia, in the conquest of Illinois. He settled first near Kaskaskia. In 1796 he and Samuel Judy opened a farm on Sugar Loaf, on claim above-mentioned, which, in 1800, became the sole property of Lunceford, Samuel Judy saying he desired more elbow-room than this tract furnished. George Lunceford died there in 1809. His son "William was born here in 1796, the first birth in the precinct.

To him should be accredited the honor of being the first settler in this precinct. For many years it was occupied as a common hunting ground. The breaks in the bluffs which arose from the Mississippi bottoms afibrded excellent harborage for panthers, wild cats, wolves and bears, whilst the prairie strtetches, dotted here and there by groves, ofttimes with a spring of living water, laughing under their shade, invited deer in great numbers to luxuriate upon their fatness. It was indeed a hunter's paradise. An old man yet living in the precinct, told the writer that he had counted fortyone deer in one gang, and was met in his pathway by a panther the same night.

Old settlers speak of a deserted house-site on the bluffs, about two miles south of Falling Springs, and just within the limits of this precinct. Occupied by whom or when deserted no one knows. It perhaps was built by one of the parties that attempted making a settlement in this vicinity in 1796, including such pioneers as Short, Griffen, Gibbons, Roberts and Valentine, which was soon after abandoned. A grave-yard to the south-west, in Monroe county, marks the location.

In the north-eastern part, some of the parties who came from Bardy county, Virginia, and the vicinity of Hagerstown, Maryland, settled in 1800. - For history of this immigration, including the Stookeys, Eymans, Millers, Randlemans and others, see the chapter on Pioneers. Of their number Randleman and Teter stopped in this precinct.

Among other early settlers might be mentioned Cornelius Gooding, (1816), James Glass, Robert Gooding, (1816), John Mauzy, Charles Jones, Matthew Roach, (1815), the Laceys, John Primm, of Cahokia, at an earlier date, and Goodner, the Baileys, John Little, Simon Stookey, 1822.

John Little selected a home on section 4, and exercised the precaution of setting out a small cedar tree as a guide when he should return with his family, which he shortly afterwards did. The tree is yet standing.

In early times these settlers were compelled to repair to "Whiteside's station, in Monroe county, for safety from marauding bands of Indians.

Reynolds, in his history refers to John Primm as follows : " In 1803 John Primm emigrated from Virginia, and settled first in the New Design - made a crop there, and settled at the foot of the Misssisippi bluff, south-east of Cahokia ; remained there several years, and moved to his plantation, a few miles south-west of Belleville. Here he died in 1836, aged almost eighty-seven years. Mr. Primm was born in Stafford county, Virginia ; served in the Revolutionary war, immediately under General Washington, and assisted in the glorious capture of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in the year 1781. This was the crowning battle for the freedom of the colonies, and Primm enjoyed the honor of aiding in this great and glorious victory. He had a large family - seventeen children - four girls and thirteen sons. He lived the even, temperate life of an agriculturist, and performed all his duties to the Creator, and to man, in a moral and correct manner."

It is believed that within the limits of this precinct, or its extreme western boundary, was enacted a tragedy which resulted in the death of Vallis and capture of Biggs, in 1788. The old trail from Bellefontaine to Cahokia passed through here, and at the point where it begins its descent into the valley is a fit place for such scenes. The account, as given by Reynolds in his history of Illinois, is as follows: "In the spring of 1788 Lieutenant Biggs had been out hunting, and had got some beaver fur, which he was desirous of selling at Cahokia. He then resided in Bellefontaine, and started in company with Vallis for Cahokia. Early in the morning of March 28th, whilst riding on the road to his trading post, they heard the report of two guns. Biggs supposed them to be hunters ; but soon after he saw sixteen Indians with their guns presented. He and Vallis whipped their horses, but in vain - all the Indians fired their pieces at him and his comrade. The bullets riddled the horse of Biggs, killed him, and shot four holes through Biggs' overcoat, but did not hit him. A ball entered the thigh of Vallis, of which wound he died six weeks afterwards. The horse of Vallis carried him to the Fort. Biggs, his furs, saddle and all fell off his horse ; and, after running some distance, the Indians caught him and made him a prisoner. He was taken to an Indian town on the Wabash river, traveling the three hundred miles in ten days. He was ransomed, by agreeing to pay a Spaniard, Bazedone, two hundred and sixty dollars ransom, and thirty-seven more for other necessaries with which to enable him to reach home. He descended the Wabash and the Ohio to the Mississippi - up that river to the Kaskaskia, and on home to Bellefontaine. In 1790 he was appointed by Governor St. Clair Sheriff of St. Clair county, which ofilce he held for many years.

Frank Koacli built the first mill more than sixty years ago, a primitive corn mill, erected on section 12, T. 1 S. R. 9 W. Subsequently Samuel and Matthew Roach built a mill on Forbes' Fork, which was washed away the same year. Frank Roach lived to the great age of 106 years. When 102 years old he went with a grandson to the store kept by William McClintock, in Belleville, and challenged him to a wrestle.

The first cemetery was that near the Union Meeting House, on sect. 11, T. 1 S. R. 9 W. John Ross was the first person interred, October 1st, 1823. Thomas Jarrott, the second, October i6th, 1823. Union Meeting House was the first house for worship built, which was in 1819.

Dr. W. C. Goforth, alias " old pills," was the first physician to practice in the precinct. He lived in Columbia and Cahokia, afterwards in Belleville, where he died.

Joshua Hughes was the first blacksmith, as well as the first coal operator. His smithy was opened in 1829. He took out coal from a hill-side, about a half mile south-east of Centerville, in 1830. This bank was afterwards transferred to, and operated by Benjamin Goodner. It has long since been abandoned.

Among the earlier marriages were Isaac Gooding, to Polly Cox, March 28th, 1820, and Nathan Cox, to Elizabeth R. Gooding, September 13th, 1826, by Cornelius Gooding, J. P.

Coal Mines. - George Grossman has a mine on section 25, T. 1 S. R. 9 W., which was first opened by Andrew PfeiflTer, in 1842. It is entered from a hill-side, thus becoming what is known as a coal bank. The vein of coal is about 6 J feet in- thickness, and is of very superior quality. It is not worked to its full capacity, only sufficiently to meet local demands.

Teuerhahn, Muskopf & Co. operate a shaft about fifty feet deep within the corporate limits of Millstadt. Vein six to seven feet thick, local trade.

In early times Simon Stookey and Daniel Eastwood ran for Justice of the Peace. Eastwood was elected. The first case brought before him was for assault and battery. He fined the victor in the fight three dollars, which he promptly handed to the vanquished party, saying, " You got licked and are entitled to the fine." The squire's ideas of justice were more consistent with equity than with law, as many of his decision prove.

In 1825, a dollar of paper money passed current for twenty-five cents, cut in two ; each half would pass for twelve and a half cents, or a " bit," as it was termed. Bits being popular change, half bills were common.

Jacob Randleman brought the first clock to the precinct, an oldfashioned wooden one, about six feet high. His brother Michael was a blacksmith. One day he proposed to Jacob the feasibility of their making a duplicate clock so that each could have a time-piece. Jacob, being a carpenter, agreed, saying, " I can make the woodwork, if you can iron it," says Michael ; " I know I can iron it.' So at it they went, taking the old clock apart, using its wheels by which to mark out patterns for the second edition. Having all their patterns completed, they concluded to put the old clock together, which they attempted. A sorry job it was. After it was together, and when they couldn't see another place to put a wheel, they had material enough left for another clock. They wound it up, the hands refused to move, not so the striking weight. It went lustily to work, and without ceasing rung out a full week's striking. The brothers thought the thing bewitched, and after repeated trials to replace

We have phrases peculiar to states, to districts of country, and why not one peculiar to a precinct ? Of such a character is the expression, "a Bornman trip." Its origin is this. About 1840, Daniel Bornman started for St. Louis on horseback, with two baskets of eggs slung across his horse. On his way the rope broke, and as a consequence the eggs also were broken. He returned home rather crestfallen at his ill luck, and ever after a disastrous trip is called by the neighbors " a Bornman trip."

The first German settlers here were Daniel Wagner, Theobald and Jacob Miller, who crossed the sea together in 1834. They landed at New Orleans, thence proceeded to St. Louis and Centerville, where they bought land the same year. This was the nucleus of a settlement that continued to grow until now the German population occupy the territory included in this precinct almost exclusively. There are but seven families of English descent in the congressional township in which the town of Millstadt is situated. They are an industrious, frugal, and energetic people. Thoroughly awake to every improvement which promises additional comfort or added wealth, they sufier no idlers among them, believing that " by the sweat of the brow man should earn his bread." They perpetuate their social societies for purposes of mutual improvement, and are loath to give up the customs they brought with them as an inheritance from the "Vaterland."

Source changes here: from Centennial, McKendree College, with St. Clair County History, by McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill, published 1928; 513 words in this source stream.

Caseyville Township

This town was named in honor of Zadock Casey, who has held many high offices in the state. He served several terms in the State Legislature and in 1830 was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois. He also served several terms in Congress. Before the laying out of the village, Charles Harbour, a wealthy Frenchman, erected a large brick residence and a steam saw mill which he operated for several years near where the town is now located. The mill was erected in 184^.

It was laid out as a village in 1849, by the Ilhnois Coal Company, consisting of the following named persons : Hon. Zadock Casey, Judge Walter B. Scates, Charles Harbour, Malcomb Robinson, Dr. Charles Barrett, and John Roy. The company began the operation of coal mining on a rather extensive scale about this time. Until 185 1 the coal was hauled to St. Louis by ox and mule teams, across the bottoms. In February, 185 1 the company completed a railroad from Casey ville to Brooklyn on which they immediately placed a locomotive and rolling stock, and by this means large quantities of coal were daily transported to St. Louis. The first house erected in the village after it was laid out was built by Jameson Robinson in the spring of 1849. Soon after that a number of houses were built and the village grew. By the end of the year forty persons were living there and the year that the railroad was com. pleted brought about one hundred and fifty more. In 1854 the Ohio and Mississippi railroad was built through Caseyville and that gave the place another impulse to growth. In 1856 a post-office was established and Major E. M. Mallory was the first postmaster, and also the first Justice of the Peace. Its first church was "Union Chapel" erected in 1879 by popular subscription and intended for the use of any denomination who desired to hold exercises of worship in it . For the last quarter of a century or thereabout the Methodists have had a regularly organized church there and use the chapel as their house of worship. In 1928, almost a half century after the building was erected two of the original trustees are still Hving. These are Charles Thilman and Emanuel Webb. The village was incorporated in i86g and the first president was C. L. Muilberger. The present brick school house was erected in 1872. At present there is a population of about eight hundred. These people are served by four general stores. There is also a bakery and a meat market. An artificial leather factory gives employment to a number of men, while many of the Caseyville men find employment in the coal mines that are in easy reach of the place. Besides the railroad to St. Louis it is on a line of the Interurban trolley road, and a state paved road. Besides the Union Chapel there are two other churches. Catholic and Evangelical, tho neither has had a regular pastor for some time. There are also several lodges maintained in the village.