Collinsville Township

Collinsville Township

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mining And Manufacturing Interests

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

Collinsville Coal And Mining Company

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

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

Lumaghi Mine

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

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

Abbey Coal And Mining Company

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

The Collinsville Mill

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

Cantine Mill

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

Collinsville Zinc Works

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

The Stock Bei,L Factoey

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

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

Machine Shop

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

Brick Yard

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

Business Of 1882

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

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

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

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

Conrad A. Ambrosius

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

John Becker

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

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

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

The First Settlements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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