Drummer Township

Drummer Township

Drummer Grove Township was organized and set off from Patton Township September 14, 1858, and comprised all of what now composes the townships of Drummer, Dix, Sullivant and Peach Orchard, or all of Ford County lying west of Range 9 east, and containing an area of 180 square miles.

The township took its name from the little grove called Drummer Grove, which lies about a mile northwest of Gibson, and which was so called in honor of a noted hunting dog named Drummer, that became overheated in a deer chase and died and was buried in the grove. The only authentic his¬ tory that has been preserved in regard to the life and character

In 1864, there must have been some Congressional investiga¬ tion or something discovered derogatory to the character of the dog, for a petition signed by a majority of the voters of the town¬ ship was presented to the Board of Supervisors asking to have the name of the township changed to Dix, in honor of Gen. Dix, of New York, which was accordingly done, and the township petition being presented to the Board of Supervisors the territory comprised in Towns 23 and south half of 24 north, Range 7 east, was set off from Dix and re-christened Drummer Grove, thus dividing the honors of the territory equally between Gen. Dix and the dog.

In 1870, the name being found too long for practical conven¬ ience the word "grove " was eliminated from the name by the Board of Supervisors.

The first settler within the present limit of Drummer Town¬ ship was Andrew Jordan, who was a native of Kentucky, where he was born October 28, 1828, and came to Illinois when twentyone years of age, with a horse, saddle and bridle and $15 m money. He went to work by the month on a farm in Cass County, where he remained for two years, and then came into this vicinity and bought a small farm near the timber in Chumpaign County. He lived there a year, then married Miss Aman¬ da Devore, and moved on the prairie, where he now lives, in the fall of 1851. He has added tract after tract of land to hi9 farm until now he owns 1,100 acres of excellent land, all lying in one body. When Mr. Jordan moved here. Ford County had not been organized. His only neighbors were wolves and deer, which were exceedingly neighborly in their visits. His nearest milling accommodations were Danville, Ill., or Covington, Ind.; the nearest blacksmith shop or place to get a plow sharpened was Mohoraet, twenty-four miles.

About a year or so after he came here, the town of Pera, now Ludlow, was started, which was for many years his only market, a distance of seventeen miles. Corn was then worth 10 cents per bushel and land from $3 to $8 per acre. Mr. Jordan has improved all his lands, having them thoroughly tiled with tile of his own manufacture, he having established and is now operating on his farm one of the largest establishments for the manufacture of tile and brick in the county.

The next settler of the township was William Bridges, who came in 1858 and settled on the farm recently owned by J. A. Rockwood, of «Gibson. During the same year, William Jordan, brother of Andrew Jordan, settled in an old house on Section 13, afterward owned by Leonard Pierpont. Lindsoy Corbly came next and settled on Section 25, south of Andrew Jordan, on what is now known as the Weldon farm.

In 1855, Dr. J. E. Davis settled at Drummer's Grove, where he pursued fanning and the practice of bis profession for many years, taking an active part in all the affairs of the county.

The next early settler, who still retains his residence in the township, was Samuel J. Le Fevere, who was born in Montgom¬ ery County, Ohio, April 16, 1841, and settled with his parents on the farm now owned by him, in the year 1856, being then only fifteen years of age. Ford County was not then organized, this territory being a part of Vermilion County and all callod Patton Township, with Prospect City, now Puxton, as the only voting place in it. In 1862, Mr. Le Fevere enlisted in the Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry and served until wounded at the battle of Vicksburg in the charge on Fort Blakely, April 9,1865. His wound rendering him unfit for military service, he was hon¬ orably discharged, and returned to his farm again, where he re¬ mained until 1872, when he moved to Gibson and engaged in the lumber business. He has been almost continually in the discharge of some official trust since the organization of the township, hav¬ ing been School Treasurer four years, and Trustee six years ; member of the Village Board three years and President of the Board one year; Supervisor of the Township three and a half years, *nd Chairman of the County Board two years.

In the same year, with Mr. Le Fevere's family, J. H. Dungan came and settled on the farm still owned by him adjoin¬ ing Mr. Le Fevere on the south, and alike with his neighbors en¬ dured all the hardships incident to that new ami wild state of the country. He remained here improving his farm and pursuing the peaceful life of an industrious fanner, until he saw the thriv¬ ing town of Gibson springing up on the prairie near him, and then moved into town and engaged in the grain business, and has ever since been one of the most energetic business men of the town.

Thomas Stephens came next and settled in the south part of the township, turning his attention principally to cattle-raising, accumulating by successive purchases a large tract of land on the Sangamon. He followed the business of stock-raising and farm¬ ing until too old and feeble to manage his large farm himself, when ho divided it among his children and settled down with them to spend the remainder of his days in a quiet, peaceful way, freed from the care and anxiety of any kind of business.

Among other early settlers who followed in a short time were Asa Canterbury, Caleb McKccver, B. II. McClure and family, John Pagel, William Reighley, Thomas Holloway and Lewis Weekraan.

The first school taught in the township was at the resilience of Dr. J. E. Davis, during the winter of 1863, taught by Miranda Holloway. In 1866, Drummer Grove Schoolhousc was built and a school taught there by Mary Ann George. Among other pioneer teachers of Drummer were Miss Arabella Davis, now wife of Wcavor White; A. Forbes Irwin, now Rev. A. F. Irwin, of Peoria, and Weaver White, Circuit Clerk.

The soil of Drummer Township is the best in the county, though when surveyed by the Government a great proportion of it was returned as swamp land. Yet, by the system of drain¬ age which has been regularly and steadily followed during the past ten years, its value and productiveness cannot be excelled in the county. The Supervisors have been Andrew Jordan, 1861; William Snider, 1863; E. M. Blackford, 1865; Joshua E. Davis, 1866; Joseph H. Kendall, 1867; Joseph E. Davis, 1868; Caleb McKecver, 1869; B. II. McClure, 1870; J. M. Sudduth, 1872; John II. Collier, 1873; S. J. Le Fevere, 1877; Charles II. Yeo¬ mans, 1881, and W. H. Simms, who is still in office.

Jonathan B. Lott was born at Graysville, Ohio, February 14, 1840. He came to Illinois when only eight years old, and lo¬ cated with his parents at Danvers, McLean County. His father died when he was fourteen, and he ik rig the oldest son at home, took charge of the farm. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and served three years; then re-enlisted as a veteran, remaining until the close of the war, "hen he was discharged on account of wounds. He was twice wounded at the battle of Spanish Fort, La. On his discharge from the army he returned to McLean County and en¬ tered Wesleyan University, where he remained one year.

January 1, 1867, he was united in marriage with Margaret A. Gibson, and in 1869 purchased from Jesse Whitehead, of Chicago, the town site of Gibson, and in February, i860, built his house here. Mr. Lott, by his energy and personal influence, secured such changes in the surveys of the different railroads that brought about their junction at the present location of Gibson. In 1870, he secured the Gilman, Clinton k Springfield, now Springfield Branch of Illinois Central. The Lake Erie k West¬ ern was surveyed three miles south of this place, and the Chi¬ cago & Paducah, now Wabash, was projected and surveysl through Savbrook, hut Mr. Lott succeeded in getting them to pass through this town.

Gibson owes its existence and prosperity to the untiring zeal and energy of J. B. Lott. The original town of Gibson was plat¬ ted and laid out by J. B. Lott, the proprietor, on November 1, 1870, and was called Gibson in obedience to the Scriptural in¬ junction, " Remember Lot's wife," Mrs. Lott's maiden name be¬ ing Gibson.

On making application for a post office of the same name, the department added the word "City " on account of the similarity of tho name with Gilson, 111.; hence the name of the town os platted is Gibson, and the post office is Gibson City. *

The first commercial business done in the town was com¬ menced by William Moyer December 1, 1870. He opened a grain office, which business ho followed for a number of years. Com¬ mencing with a very moderate capital, by attention to his business and the exercise of superior judgment and discretion in its man¬ agement, he accumulated a fortune, which has caused him to bo recognized as the wealthiest man in Gibson.

Wilson Bros, next opened a general store in January, 1871, on the corner south of the Opera Ilall. Next came II. J. King in the same month, and in April following his partner, J. II. Col¬ lier, came also, and T. D. Spaulding. The firm of Ring & Collier opened a hardware store at Mr. Collier's present stand, and Mr. Spaulding operated a lumber yard near the crossing of the rail¬ roads. About the same time came M. D. Worrell, J. F. Hicks, James Garbett, J. E. Lewis and others followed in such rapid suc¬ cession that to particularize would be very difficult.

The first single lady who settled in Gibson was Miss Mary Thompson, a milliner. The first school in the town was taught by Miss Caroline Williams, now Mrs. Smith, and was taught in a public hall.

Mr. C. II. Yeomans was the first lawyer ; Dr. Anderson was the first physician; J. E. Cruzen was the first Postmaster, and M. T. Burwell the first banker.

The first railroad through Gibson was the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield, now operated by the Illinois Central, which was built in 1871, and was followed the same year by the Lake Eric & Western, but no regular trains were run until the following spring. The Chicago & Paducah, now the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, was built in 1874.

The first church edifice was erected by the Methodist denom¬ ination, and was followed by the Cumberland Presbyterian, the First Presbyterian, United Brethren and Catholics. There are quite a number of colored people in Gibson, who have built a church called the African Methodist Church.

The first death was a jeweler named Angel, which occurred in 1872, who committed suicide by cutting his throat in the rear of the New York Store.

The village was incorporated in 1872, with T. D. Spalding, J. II. Collier, S. J. Le Fevere, Bruce McCormick and W. T. Kerr, as Trustees. The business houses of Gibson consist of 1 bank, 3 dry goods stores, 1 clothing store, 2 hardware stores, 6 grocery and provision stores, 3 drug stores, 1 tile factory, 1 fence factory and feed mill, 2 hotels, several restaurants, 2 markets, 2 harness shops, 2 newspapers, 1 elevator and the usual comple¬ ments of wagon, repair and blacksmith shops.

In the year 1874, the school accommodations being entirely inadequate to the wants of the rapidly increasing population of the town, the thoroughgoing enterprise of the citizens was shown in the erection of what was and still is by far the finest public school building in the county. It is a two-story brick with a full story basement, 60x60, all finely furnished, and heated by furnace, with the most approved plan of ventilation. There are five departments in the building, with a capacity for accommodat¬ ing 300 pupils. The cost of this fine building was 912,000. In 1882, this becoming too crowded for effective work, another building, 40x60, was erected at a cost of $5,000, with a capacity for 100 scholars. Both of these handsome buildings are paid for, and no school bonds or city indebtedness exists to burden the people or hinder the prosperity of the town.

January 29, 1883, the town was visited by a destructive fire, which swept away in the course of a few hours about $50,000 worth of property, not more than one-fourth of which was covered by insurance.

Here again the enterprising spirit of the citizens evinced itself, for in less than a month from the day of the fire, workmen were busy preparing the burnt district for rebuilding. In six months' time there was erected twelve elegant brick stores (all two stories high except two), from 80 to 100 feet in length, all furnished with large plate glass fronts, as fine as are to be found in any city in the State outside of Chicago. The improve¬ ments made during those six months cost, in an aggregate, near¬ ly $80,000. Among them, and worthy of speenu mention, is Burwcll's Opera Hall, on the second floor of the block erected by M. T. Burwell; is 50x100 feet, with eighteen feet ceiling, and a self-supporting truss roof, leaving no columns or central supports to mar its beauty or obstruct the view. The stage scenery is, probably, as elaborate and complete as is found in any city in the State, except Chicago, consisting of sixty-nine different pieces of scenery painted in the most elaborate style. The building - hall, stage and foot-lights - is lighted by gas.

Leonard Piorpont was born in Litchfield County, Conn., October 28, 1819. lie came to Illinois in 1858, and settled in this township. He was a good farmer, an honest and industrious citizen and Treasurer of Ford County for four years. He died in April, 1874, leaving a large family, part of whom still resido at the old homestead. Three of his sons were killed in the war.

William H. Guthrio was born in Armstrong County, Penn., in 1832. He settled in Drummer Township in 1865. He has purchased from time to time until he now has a fine farm of 960 acres. He was married in 1868 to Miss Jennie Stewart. They have five children.

James B. Foley is a native of Adams County, Ohio, where he was bom in 1847, and came to Putnam County, Ill., with his parents when three years old. He lived there twenty-four years ; then settled in this township on Section 20. He was married to Miss Olive L. Skeel December 24, 1874. They have two chil¬ dren.

There is no place in the southern part of Drummer that sur¬ passes the fine home of Joseph T. Roberts, on Section 35. Ho is a native of Tazewell County, Ill., and was married in 1857 to Mary C. Bosserman, a native of De Witt County, Ill. They have been blessed with a furaily of twelve children.

Nathan L. Skeel was born in Putnam County, Ill., August 19, 1848. He lived there until about twenty-four years of age, as¬ sisting his father on a farm, when he settled in this township and has made for himself a comfortable home. In 1873, he married Mary Wallace.

Willard Proctor was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1827, where he lived for about twenty-five years, then moved to Illinois. In August, 1862, he enlisted in tho One Hundred and Fourth Illi¬ nois Regiment, and served in the war until its close. He was married, March, 1847, to Miss Sarah A. Hewitt, a native of Rutland, Vt.

Albert Gilmore was bom in Harrison County, Ohio in 1841. In 1861, he came hero and bought 1.600 acres of land. He now owns 960 acros of fine farming land, all under cultivation. In 1880, he married Miss Elizabeth A. Boundy, of Peoria County, Ill. She was bom in 1858. They have two children.

Robert A McClure was born in McLean County in 1843. He lived there until 1867, whon he came to this township and settled at the placo he now lives on. In 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety fourth Illinois Regiment, and was in the service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and returned home. He was married in 1865 to Miss Ann McLaughlin.

Austin Crabbs, merchant in Gibson, was bora in Richland County, Ohio, January 8, 1838. His father, David Crabbs, was a native of Pennsylvania, and removed to Indiana in 1852, where he departed this life in August, 1854. Mr. Crabbs came to Illi¬ nois in 1873, and located at Gibson, where he has since resided. He engaged in tho mercantile trade, which he has since followed with the exception of one year. Mr. Crabbs served in the late war for three years, being Captain of Company C, Forty-sevonth Indiana Volunteers. He has recently erected two handsome buildings in the " Center Block," where he has a large stock of dry goods, groceries, etc. He was married to Miss Catharine Yeiter in Decatur County, Ind., March 3, 1864. She is a native of Ohio. This union has resulted in a family of eight children, all living. Mr. Crabbs has been at all times indentified with the general business interests of Gibson, and is universally re¬ spected by all who know him.