Lawrence Township (part 1 of 3)

Lawrence Township

HIS township deserves favorable mention from the fact that it contains the capital of the county, and is among the first-settled precincts of Lawrence county, and bears the same name. It is centrally situated, and includes the fractional part of four congressional townships, to wit ; townships three and four, ranges eleven and twelve. It has an area of forty-two sections, or about 26 880 acres of -land, nearly three-fourths of which is under cultivation. It is bounded on the north by Bond township, east by Allison, south by Dennison, and west by Bridgeport and Petty townships. The surface is generally undulating, and in places along theEmbarras river quite prominent bluffs appear. In the south and west the surface is mainly level, and the soil is a dark loam and specially ! adapted to the raising of corn. The land in this part of j the township is considered the most valuable from the > act of its extreme productiveness. In the east the soil is sandy and not so productive. Along the state road) leading west, there are many fine farms, the soil being a chocolate- colored clay, and is the best wheat-producing soil in the county. On either side of the Embarras river there are quite extensive bottoms, especially on the northeast. These are mainly covered with heavy timber, and are subject to overflow.

The natural drainage is good, but tiling would pay an hundredfold. The Embarras enters the township in sec- 22, township 4, range 12, and flows in a southeasterly course, diagonally through the precinct, and passes out in section 17, township 3, range 11. Brushy Fork and Muddy creed constitute its northwestern tributaries, and Indian creek is its west and southern tributary. The Ohio and Mississippi railroad extends from east to west through its entire territory, entering from the east in sec- tion 4, township 3, range 11, and crosses the boundary line into Bridgeport in section 9, same township and range. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway crosses the precinct from north to south, entering from the north between sections 19 and 20, township 4, range 11, and passes out at the corner of sections 17 and 18, same township and range.

Early Settlements

One of the first to brave the wilds of the western frontier was John Me Cleave, a native of Maryland, born in 1778. When a mere boy his parents moved to the state of Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1801, he married Mary Benefiel, and remained in Ohio until 1814, when he moved to Illinois (then Territory) and first stopped in the north part of Allison's Prairie, not far from the present site of Centerville. The Indians then being on the war-path, he was obliged to move his family into the fort (Fort Allison) for protection, where they remained until the spring of 1814. After the conclusion of the treaty with England relating to the war of 1812, the Indians became peaceable, and the people left the fort. Mr. Me Cleave located across the river from Vincennes, where he remained until the following spring, when he moved over the river and stayed one year. In the spring of 1817, he again came to the Illinois side and permanently located in section 3, township 3, range 11 west, then Edwards county. At this time his family consisted of his wife and five children, William, John, Rebecca, George and Lucinda. He threw up a small camp, made of puncheons, and commenced the life of a pioneer. He entered quite a tract of land, which he subsequently improved. Mr. McCleave was an unassuming man, a good citizen and a kind neighbor. He died at the old home in 1846. Mrs. McCleave survived him until 1860. Two children were born to them after their settlement, Robert B., and Mary. Only three of the family are now living, George, Robert and Lucinda. The former resides on the old farm, and has filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty-two years, and is still acting in that capacity. A son, J. W. is the present county treasurer. George is also living at the old farm. Lucinda, now widow of Thomas Dickerson, resides in section 33, township 4, range 12

The first permanent English immigration and settlements were made in 1816-'17 after the Indian troubles had ceased, at which time there was quite an active influx of emigrants, who were mainly families from some portion of the South. Among these was Geo. W. Kinkaid who came with his family from Kentucky in the above year and settled in section 28, township 4, range 11. He had one son, Albert, and three daughters. Mr. K. resided on his farm for some years, when his wife died, and he moved into Lawrenceville. He was one of the early postmasters of the town. He remained here until his death, which occurred in 1848. Albert, his son, is a citizen of Richland county.

He had been here several years prior to this settlement He improved a good farm, and was very popular with his neighbors. In early times all male citizens of certain ages, were required to -muster, and devote a portion of time each year to train as militiamen. Mr. Spencer was elected a colonel of a regiment, hence his title, and he was ever afterward known, by his acquaintances, as Colonel Spencer. He was also elected County Commisioner for some years. He died nearly half a century ago. At his coming there were three pioneer childre^i, Jane, Fannie, and William, all of whom are dead. One son, George, who was born in the precinct, is now living in Macoupin county.

David Grove came from Pennsylvania, in 1816, and located in section 10, township 3, range 12. He had a family of three children, Michael, John, and Eliza. He was of German descent, and thus a very industrious and thrifty farmer, cultivating a good farm, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1842. His remains were interred on his own land. His widow survived him but a few years. Washington Grove, residing in Petty township, is one of his sons, and the only one of the family now living.

Another pioneer of 1816, was Isaiah Lewis, who migrated from Kentucky with a large family. He settled in section 3, township 3, range 12, where he cleared and improved a good farm. He resided here until about 1830, when he moved to some point north in the state. He was school teacher, and in the pioneer times was one of the first teachers in this part of the country. But one of the family is living in the county, Jacob, who is a resident of Petty township.

Larkin Ryle came to the state as early as 1813 or '14, entered land and returned to Kentucky from whence he came. He owned several slaves- in that state, and when the emigration excitement for Illinois, commenced he sold them and came to the land he had entered, it being the south half of section 11, township 3, range 12. He was then quite an old man and feeble in constitution. He brought no family with him, having left them in KeiJ tucky. He taught school for several years, and lived around among the settlers. It is said that he was the first teacher in this precinct, having taught the children of the pioneers as early as 1817 or '18. He continued teaching as long as his health would permit, and finally died with lingering consumption at the house of one of the early settlers. This was more than half a century ago.

John Buchanan was also from the South, and as early as 1816 he came to the State and settled in section 12, township 3, range 12. He was a man of family, several of his children being old enough to aid him in his pioneer efforts. He improved a farm, where he resided until his children had grown up and married. He then moved to Lawrenceville, where he resided until his death, which occurred long ago. Some of his descendants are yet living in the county.

in the county in 1816. The old gentleman was very aged when he made his advent here, and lived but a few years. His sons, James, Nathan, Scott, and Michael, were 'citizens of the county for many years, all of whom have passed away. N. D. Rawlings, who resides a mile east of Lawrenceville, is a son of James. N. D. is the present supervisor of the precinct, and has represented it as such since 1879. Several other descendants of the family are citizens of the county.

Thongs Fyffd and family came from Kentucky in 1814, and, upon their arrival in the territory, they were obliged to take refuge in Fort Allison. With the rest, after peace was declared, he left the Fort and located temporarily in the eastern part of the county. In 1817, he entered land in section 34, township 4, range 12, where he made a permanent settlement. This was his home until his death, which occurred about 1830. But one of the family is now living (Albert), who is residing at the old homestead. It is said that Edward P., a deceased son, was the first child born of English parents in Lawrence county.

Another pioneer of 1817 was John Brigman, a native of South Carolina. On coming to Illinois, he first stopped upon the site where Lawrenceville now stands. His family consisted of his wife, two children and two brothers. The names of the latter were, Solomon and Isaac. He built him a small house, or rather hut, but remained here only a short time, moving to what is known as Brigman's Island. He located in section 22, township 4, range 12, on the farm now owned and occupied by Joseph Griggs. This was a sickly locality, and nearly all the family soon died. Mr. B. also died here, and was buried on his own land.

Robert Benefiel came from Ohio in 1818, and settled in section 34, township 4, range 12. He had a family, consisting of his wife and one daughter, Ruhama. His first domicil was a covered rail-pen. It was in this pen that one of the first children war born in this precinct, the event occurring in 1818, not long after Mr. Benefiel's advent to the State. He remained here improving a little farm until 1830, when his wife died. He, with his family, then moved to the State of Indiana.

Joseph Lamott was of French descent, and came over from Vincennes in 1818, and located in section 9, twp. 3, range 12. It is said of him that he was a most excellent citizen and an obliging neighbor. He died at his farm about fifteen years ago. His second wife survives him, and is residing at the old homestead. One son and two daughters are residents of the county - James, Caroline, and Angeline. The latter is the wife of James Dunlap.

Another settler of 1818 was Benjamin McCleave, who was born in Maryland, and was a brother of James Mc- Cleave, before mentioned. He emigrated from Ohio with his family to this State, and settled in section 3, township 3, range 12, on land that he had entered two years before. Prior to his coming he had been twice married, and the family consisted of four of his own children and five step-children. The names of the former were - Polly, Sally, Betsy and Benjamin ; those of the latter were - Polly, Helen, Martha, Betsy and Margaret. He died about 1845. But one of the family is a resident of the county (John), who is a native born.

A prominent settler of 1821 was James McLean. He, with his brother John, came from Kentucky in 1817, and located at Shawneetown, Illinois. The latter subsequently became United States Senator. James came to Lawrence county in 1821, and on the organization of the county he was appointed the first circuit clerk by Judge Wilson. This office he held until the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, when he resigned his office and volunteered for that campaign. While in service, his successor died, upon which the people of the county signed a petition to have Mr. McLean re-appointed, which was speedily done. This was in 1832. He held | the office until 1836. In 1838 he was elected clerk of | the council of revision. In 1840 he was in the legislai ture and drew up the bill for the organization of Richland county. In 1842 he was appointed registrar of the land office at Palestine, which position he filled until 1854. He then returned to Lawrence county and became county judge, which office he held until his death, in 1859.

A family by the name of McCall settled two miles north of Lawreuceville about 1817 or '18. McCall was killed by a Delaware Indian in 1820. A band of the Delawares was encamped at the time on Brushy Fork. Several of them went over to McCall's cabin and demanded whisky. He refused them, and a conflict was brought on, and in the fracas McCall was killed by their leader, Killbuck. The family subsequently moved to some other point.

About 1819, Toussaint and Loire Dubois located on the claim made by their father, Toussaint Dubois, Sen. This tract comprised 1020 acrts, and included nearly all of section 1, township 3, range 11. They built a watermill on the Embarras, which was situated where the present mill now stands. They were also active in building up the town of Lawrenceville, having at one time an interest in a large distillery, besides conducting quite an extensive mercantile business. Toussaint died in Lawrenceville a half century ago. Loire returned to Vincennes, where he remained until his death.

Among other pioneers were Cornelius Taylor, Abraham Carnes, Scott Riggs, Moses Petty, Henry Gillham, Daniel Robinson, Joshua Alexander, William M. Small, Jonathan Leach and others. The former kept a ferry across the Embarras, just above the bridge at Lawrenceville, as early as 1816.

Among those who have been prominent of a later date is Daniel L. Gold, a native of Virginia. He came to Lawrenceville in 1844, and engaged as a clerk in a mercantile house. Four years later he became a partner. In the early part of the rebellion he was appointed by j Governor Yates Assistant Adjutant-General of the State. I As a citizen of the county, he was always among the J foremost in the advocacy of public improvements, and | that which would enure for the public good. At this writing he is in Washington city, an appointee of the Government in the pension department.

Other old citizens who are yet living in the precinct may be mentioned as follows: William Richardson was born in Hardy county, Virginia, and came to the j county in 1828. He resides in section 29, township 3, range 11. James A. Crews came from Crawford county, Illinois, in 1829. His residence is near Lawrenceville, in section 6, township 3, range 11. W. S. Kennessey was born in Baltimore, and came to the couuty in 1839 ; resides in section 1, township 3, range 12. James N. Musgrave came from Ohio to the county in 1839 He is the proprietor of the Junction Hotel at the O. & M. Junction. William Musgrave is also from Ohio, came in 1840, and is the station agent at the junction. Lafayette Barnes, Circuit Clerk, is a native of the county, born in 1840. Nancy A. Smith, nee Wright, came from Ohio to the county in 1840: George W. Green was born in the county in 1841. He resides in section 6, township 3, range 11. W. H. H. Mieure is also a native of the county, born in 1841, and resides in section 19, township 3, range 11. His father was among the early settlers. John G. Fritchy came from Pennsylvania in 1841, and is located in section 5, township 3, range 11. Capt. Henry A. Clubb, Deputy County Clerk, was born in the county in 1843. He is a descendant of one of the pioneers of the county. An early settler, yet living, is William Tanquary, who resides about two miles west of Lawrenceville. He was one .of the first blacksmiths in the town. He subsequently moved to the county, and is among the prosperous farmers of the precinct. A little northeast of Lawrenceville is a settlement known as Robinson's Row. It receives its name from several families settling there by the name of Robinson. This settlement was made from about 1824 to 18-8.

Land Entries

Believing that the first land entries will prove of interest to the readers of this history, we here append them as shown by the record : January 24, 1816, John McCleave entered the S. W. } of sec. 20. George W. Kiukaid entered October i, 1816, the N. E. i of sec. 28. William Huston entered on the same day, the N. W. \ of same sec. Samuel Gaston entered July 21, 1815, the N. E. i of sec 32. On the same day, Abraham Carnes entered the S E. i of same section. Scott Riggs entered, January 26, 1816, the S. W. i of sec. 33. The above are all in township 4, range 11. The following are in township 3, range 12 : William Smith entered, November 6, 1816, the south J of sec. 1. William Spencer entered, October 29, 1816, the S. W. t of sec. 2. John Benefiel entered, Oct. 3, 1816, the N E. i of sec. 3. Peter Lewis entered, May 6, 1816, the N. W. 1 of the same section. Benjamin McCleave entered, September 30, 1816, the 8. W. i of same section. John Richardson entered , October 2, 1816, the N. E. J of sec. 9. Elijah Athertou entered, September 30, 1816, the E. J of the N. W. i of the same section. Daniel Grove entered, October 29, 1816, the N. E. i of sec. 10. Larkin Ryle entered, September 9, 1813, the S. J of sec. 11. John Buchanan entered, November 6, 1816, the S J of sec. 12.

From best authority, Col. William Spencer was the .first white man to locate in this precinct. He had built a double log cabin on the Embarras, at a point where the " old trace " crossed the river. This was about 1806. With the exception of one or two cabins further west, there was no other habitation between Vincennes and the old French town of Cahokia. In 1816, we find Mr. Spencer located in section 2, township 3, range 12, a brief sketch of whom is given in this chapter.

So far as can be ascertained, the first couple married in the township, was William McCleave and Nancy Benefiel, in the spring of 1820. The ceremony was performed at Vincennes, by the Reverend Elihu Stout. Appropos of the foregoing it might not be out of place to relate a rather ludicrous as well as, perhaps, painful affair to the parties most interested, that occurred in 1819. Our informant says that, " I was then a mere boy, but it smacked so much of the ridiculous that I have always remembered it." It seems that a couple from Indiana had determined to marry, and the parents of the girl were very much oppossed to the match. They clandestinely fled to this side of the river with the intention of procuring license for the marital bonds. j The young man left his intended bride at the cabin of one of the settlers, when he went post haste to Palmyra (then the county seat of Edwards county) to obtain the necessary papers. In his absence the friends of the girl, who had been following them, appeared upon the scene, made a raid on the cabin, and took the girl by force, carrying her back to her home. Imagine if you can, the young man's feelings, when he returned but a short time afterwards, and found that his dear one had been spirited away. Our informant says, that he sat down upon the ground and blubbered like a school-boy.

The first public place of interment is situated in section 3, township 3, range 12, and the first person buried here was a child of Jonathan Leach, in 1820. It has been abandoned as a place of burial for more than twenty years.

Larkin Ryle taught the first school, in 1818. The school was taught in a log cabin situated in section 34, township 4, range 12. It was built by John Bray for a dwelling, but his wife dying soon after his advent here, he returned to Indiana, leaving the cabin vacant. It is said that Mr. Ryle was not much addicted to the use of the rod, but did all his lashing with his tongue. He was very particular about keeping the sexes apart, and would throw up long rows of brush to separate their play grounds. The first house built for school purposes was iu 1822, and was situated in section 3, township 3, range 12 It wa3 constructed of round hickory logs, and roofed with rived clapboards, which were held to their places by weight poles. It contained a fire-place, stick chimney, puncheon floor, puncheon seats and puncheon desks. Two logs were scutched down at a convenient distance from the floor to form a window, and over this crevice was pasted greased paper through which the light could penetrate. Let the .young readers of this history compare then with now.

The first to conduct religious services among the pioneers, were Eldeis B McCorckle and William Kinkaid, both belonging to the New Light persuasion, now commonly known as Campbellites or Christians, The services were held in the groves or the houses of the settlers.

The first house built for public worship was about 1840. It was constructed by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is situated in Lawrenceville. It is now used by the M. E colored church society.

The first magistrates were Henry Gillham, Benjamin McCleave and John McCleave. For the first medical attendance I he pioneers were obliged to send over to Vincennes. The first resident physicans were Gabriel Cochran, Dr. Barton and William Anderson. They res-ided at Lawrenceville.

No post-office was established until about 1821 or 1822, when Lawrenceville was located. Prior to this, mail was obtained at Viucennes. At this time it required twenty-five cents to get a letter from distant friends. Valentine J. Bradley was one of the first postmasters at Lawrenceville.

Mr. Galbreth was the first smith to shoe the horses and mend the linchpins of the early settlers. His shop was situated a little south of where the court-house now stands. This ground was then a wilderness of sugar maple, extending from his shop north to the river. It is needless to say that both shop and smith have passed j away long ago.

The early milling was had at Vincennes. In 1817 or '18, John Brigman attempted to construct a water mill on the Embarras, near where the present water mill stands, but his efforts proved abortive. A little later,

Cornelius Taylor also made the attempt, but failed. In 1819 or 1820, Toussaint and Loire Dubois, with the aid of the settlers, succeeded in constructing a dam, and a mill was soon erected. One of the pioneers, now dead, writing to a friend says : " We succeeded in constructing a feeble affair, which was familiarly known as a ' corncracker,' but poor as it was, we were proud of it. It would grind nothing but corn, but corn was all we had,

] and little of that." Subsequently a saw mill was ati tached, and they did good service for the settlers for several years, when they went to decay. It is said that after the mill was abandoned, the boys would go

I in 1830, by James Nabb, it being a celebrated breed of horses which were imported from the State of Kentucky. About 1845, a serious malady prevailed here, known as the " black tongue " - it proved very fatal, and many were swept away by this much-dreaded disease. With this exception, the township has been one of the most healthy and prosperous in the county. The roads and bridges are kept in fair condition, and good farms and farm improvements are to be seen throughout its territory.

Supervisors. - The following is a list of the names of those who have represented the precinct in the county board since township organization : W. M. Edmondson was elected in 1857, and served one term. Daniel L. Gold was elected in 1858, and served one term. George M. Whittaker was elected in 1859, served two terms. John Seed was elected in 1861, served one term, and was chairman of the board. Daniel Feagans was elected in 1862, and served until 1867. George M. Whittaker was re-elected in 1867, and served until 1870, and was chairman of the board for the year 1868. Perry Lewis was elected in 1870, and served two terms. George M. Whittaker was re-elected in 1872, served one term. H. C. McCleave was elected iu 1873, served one term. Thomas Kirkwood was elected in 1874, and served until 1879, being chairman of the board for the year 1877. N. D. Rawlings was elected in 1879, and served till 1883, when William N. Tanquary, the present incumbent, was chosen.

At the special May meeting of the county commissioners' court, after the county was organized in 1821, a committee of two was appointed to select a site for a county seat. Thtse committee men were Moses Thompson and William Wilson. The following is their report, made the 16th day of May, 1821 : "The location is selected on the twenty acres on the west side ot the Embarras river, three hundred yards south of the Dubois" mills, on a ridge to the left of the St. Louis trail, laid off in a square and designated as the centre of said tract by a white oak stump with a peeled stake sticking by its side, as the seat of justice."

Toussaint Dubois, sen., a tract containing 1020 acres. The site for the capital of the county was selected'nearly central within the claim, being a part of the northwest quarter of northwest quarter of section 6, township 3, range 11 west of the second principal, meridian. It was surveyed and platted by John Dunlap, the 27th and 28th days of June, 1821, and placed on record April 24, 1823. The deed for the twenty acres was executed September 15th, 1821, by Jane Dubois, executrix, widow of Toussaint Dubois, sen., and Toussaint, jr. and H. Dubois, executors, in and for the sum of $300. It was executed to John Dunlap, James Lanterman and William Martin, county commissioners of Lawrence county. The town was laid off three blocks square, with the block for the county buildings arranged in the center. The streets were 82 feet wide, and named as follows : Those extend - ing north and south were called Main and Market ; those east and west, Jones and Sugar streets. It is the oldest town in the county. Several additions have been made since its formation. Bradley's addition was made in 1826 ; Badollet and Eaton's in 1828 ; Clubb's in 1829 ; Baker's in 1839, and Jones' in 1853.

The first house built within the present village limits was the house or hut of John Brigman, about 1816. It was situated at the bluff, not far from the Hydraulic mills. The first merchandise was sold by the Dubois Brothers in 1821. The storehouse was a small frame building situated north of the court-house square. The lumber for its construction was hauled from Vincennes. The mill before mentioned had then been in operation for nearly two years, and a few houses were scattered about the timber. Large maple trees then covered the present site of the town ; in short, it was but a little hamlet within a sugar camp. About 1827 the Dubois Brothers erected quite an extensive distillery. It was located a little east of Price's steam flouring mill, up against the bluff, and extended across what is now Canthorn street. It subsequently passed into the hands of Riley Brothers, who enlarged the building and the capacity of the works. For a time this industry furnished a market for all the corn for many miles around. The product was shipped to New Orleans in flat-boats via the Embarras, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. This establishment was in running order until about 1843, when it was abandoned and went to decay. The writer was upon the ground only a short time since, but nothing is left to show that all was life and activity here " some forty years ago." A carding and fulling mill were also a part of the business of the town at thai time. Quite an extensive slaughtering and packing house was then under the supervision of Henry Shepherd, which furnished a good market for the pork raisec in this region of the State. Indeed, the town of Lawrenceville was a lively, busy point until about 1848, it having a large trade with the South by means of flatboats. Its backward tendency is, no doubt, owing to the building of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad, leaving the town about a mile to the north of this great thorough:

Incorporation - The act incorporating the town of Lawrenceville was approved Feb. 12th, 1835. The following are the boundaries of the same, as provided by he charter : " One square mile, laid out by lines running due north and south, east and west, and the center of the public square to be the center of said square mile." The corporate powers and duties were vested in D trustees, who were authorized to appoint their presiding officer and all other officers of the board. The charter also provided that the trustees should have the prerogative to divide the town into two wards or more. All east of Main street to compose one ward, and all west of said street to compose another. If more were made, the trustees were required to make record of the same.

Unfortunately, the records of the first action of the board have been lost, and we are unable to give a synopsis of its doings or the names of the first officers elect. Since first incorporation by an Act of the Legislature, the limits of the town have been considerably extended.

Village Organization- - A vote was had by the citizens of the town, March 12th, 1879, to determine if the people desired to organize under a general provision of the statute relating to villages, etc. Upon canvassing the vote, it was found that there were fifty-one votes for village organization and none against it. An election was held on the 19th of April following to elect officers under the new regime, when the following officers were elected : C. Cole, Clinton Abernathy, Silas Hall, Robert W. Musgrave, T. A. Curry and John H. Roberts were elected as trustees. Daniel L. Gold was elected village clerk, and William Robinson magistrate. The present village officers are : Trustees - C. Cole, T. W. Roberts, J. K. Dickerson, A. L. Irwin, F. W. Weyl and E. B. Price ; clerk - Frank C. Meserve ; treasurer - E. Schmalhausen ; magistrate - William Robinson ; street commissioner - J. A. Organ; constable - Lafayette. Currie. Treasurer, street commissioner and constable are appointive offices.

Present Business, Etc

Hydraulic Mills, Cyrenus Cole, proprietor. - This mill is situated on or near the site of the old Dubois mill which went to decay more than half a century ago, it being on the Embarras river just north of the town. The present mill was built by Daniel Payne about 1833. When first constructed it contained two run of burrs, and subsequently was attached a carding mill and a saw mill. These latter attachments were destroyed by fire in 1855. Later, it was owned by the firm of Ryan & Mc- Lean, who conducted the business for a time, when it went down, and for some years remained silent. Mr. Cole took possession of it in the fall of 1880. Its power was what is known as the re-active system, but at this time it has the turban wheel with nine feet head of water. The building is a frame, three stories high, and 50x60 feet on the ground. It contains two run of stone,

Price Steam Flouring Mills. - This industry was established by W. C. Price in the fall of 1880, and is situated on the west side of Canthorn street, in the north part of town near the river. The building is a frame 38x40 ft., with stone basement, and three stories high, and cost, including machinery, about $6,000. It contains three run of burrs, with a capacity of grinding daily 65 bbls. of flour and 250 bushels of meal, and gives employment to three men. The annual value of manufactured product is estimated at 840,000. The machinery is driven by a 40-horse power engine. The mill is now owned by W. C. Price & Sons.

School Building. - This is situated on the west side of Market street, one block south of the court-house square. A granite slab in the front gable bears the inscription, " Lawreuceville Public School, 1874." It is constructed of brick, two stories high, and is 60x41 feet on the ground, and cost about $5000. The building is adorned with a cupola containing a bell, and each window is supplied with Venitian shutters. It is arranged into four rooms, two above and two below, and is seated with the latest improved desks, and contains other furniture to match. Two teachers and an assistant are employed, Prof. P. J. Anderson, principal. The maximum attendance is about 160 pupils. The school grounds are enclosed by a good fence, and excellently shaded with forest trees.

Edward Doling Lodge, No. 164, A. F. and A. M. was organized under the name of Lawrenceville Lodge, November 3rd, 1864, but subsequently changed its name to the above in honor of its first master, Edward Dobins. The first meeting was held, under dispensation, December llth, 1854. The charter was granted October 3rd, 1855. There were seven charter members, Edward Dob. ins, Jesse K. Dubois, George P. Sherwood, G. C. Crosseu, Joseph Gibson, Henry I. Walters, and William M. Mills. It now has a membership of forty, is out of debt, owns its own hall and real estate to the value of $1,000. The lodge meets every second and fourth Saturday nights in each month.

This lodge was chartered August 17th, 1881, with twenty charter members. The present membership is fortyeight, and the whole number enrolled since organization, is fifty-two. The lodge meets in its hall every Wednesday night. With the exception of the indebtedness incurred in constructing their new hall, the lodge is out of debt, and is in good working order.

At this writing, the town contains about five hundred inhabitants. The streets are well kept, and there is a fair sprinkling of shade trees. In the summer of 1830, the town was visited with a severe wind-storm or cyclone, which was known for many years afterward as " Dow's storm." It received this cognomen from the fact that Lorenzo Dow, the cosmopolite, preached to the people of Lawrenceville on that day. There was a large concourse of people present, some of whom came the distance of forty miles to hear the famous preacher. The platform on which he stood was arranged at the old court-house door. The greater portion of his sermon was delivered while he was sitting in a chair. At times, for dramatic effect, he would get down and grope about upon the platform. He had only fairly finished his sermon, when the storm broke forth. Houses and trees were blown down, crops were destroyed, and fences were scattered to the four winds. It is said that a French cart was blown across the Wabash to the Indiana side of the river.

A sad calamity occurred in the town in the summer of 1870, which threw the whole community in mourning, while but a few moments before there were loud hurrahs of jollification and rejoicing. It was at the time of the prospective building of the railroad which now passes through the town. A railroad meeting was being con- ducted in the village, speakers were at hand, and the crowd became very enthusiastic. As is usual on such occasions, powder had to be burned in order to give due eclat to the same. An old iron gudgeon, with a hole drilled in it, was used as a substitute for a cannon. Through some unknown cause, while loading it, it burst into hundreds of pieces, dealing death to one, and badly maiming two others. The sudden joy turned to sadness, and every heart bled for the poor sufferers and the friends of the deceased.

Oriswold is a small town of about fifty inhabitants, situated at the O. & M. junction, one mile south of Lawrenceville, on the N. E. } of section 12, township 3, range 12. It was laid out August 21st, 1866, by Jesse K. Dubois, and received its name in honor of William D. Griswold, then general superintendent of the Ohio and Mississippi railway. The only business is one hotel, kept by James N. Musgrave.

Bridgeport lies partly in Lawrence precinct, but as the larger and business portion is in Bridgeport township, the history of it will be found in that chapter.

Was organized in 1858. The society purchased five acres of ground, located about one-half mile southwest of town, for which they gave $200. Subsequently they added about four acr33 m)r3 to it, miking nearly nine acres in all. A fine third-mile track was prepared, besides good comi fortable buildings were built for the convenience of ex- ! hibiting the wares of its patrons. For a time, the enterprise was prosperous, proving beneficial to the public and paying to the society. A few years ago the town of i Bridgeport became ambitious, and it also organized a I society and opened a fair ground. The result was, that with a season or two of rainy weather and too much fair in the county, both societies became swamped for funds, which subsequently proved their overthrow. The members of the societies at Lawrenceville, in order to keep faith with their patrons, borrowed a sufficient sum of money to pay their premiums in full. To obtain this they mortgaged their ground as security for the amount of the loan. They struggled along for a time with this load upon them, but the income from the exhibitions was insufficient to cancel any part of the debt. Becoming discouraged about ever being able to discharge the debt, they concluded to sell the ground for what it would bring, and go down into their individual pockets for the remainder. This was done, and thus passed away one of the finest little fair grounds in southern Illinois. The last exhibition was held in the fall of 1878, but the society did not become defunct until the winter of 1882. The enclosure and buildings may yet be seen a little southwest of Lawrenceville.

Prior to this organization, in 1855, the first fair was somewhat impromptu, and was held in the court-room. These impromptu exhibitions were kept up until the organizing of the foregoing society.

City And Precinct Of Mount Carmel

[HE early history of Mt. Carmel Precinct dates back nearly three-fourths of a century. The first settlers were mainly hardy pioneers from the State of Ohio, and it is owing to their indomitable energy and perseverance that the present generation are now enjoying the fruits of a cultivated society and a land of plenty. It was they who cleared the forest, faced the wild Indian, and prepared the way for the incoming tide of immigration and civilization that now marks our border, extending to the Pacific coast. We say, blessings on their noble efforts, for they will surely reap a rich reward in the unknown beyond- Mt. Carmel precinct has the honor of containing the capital of the county, and receives its name from the fine little city of Mt. Carmel. The precinct extends along the west side of the Wabash river, and is bounded on the north by the Base Line, east by the Wabash, south by Coffee precinct, and west by Bellmont and Lick Prairie precincts. The surface is mainly level, and was originally covered with heavy timbers of walnut, oak, sycamore, elm, hickory, poplar, and many other varieties which may be found mentioned in the chapter on Flora. Two small prairies are located in the north of the precinct, Bald Hill prairie and English prairie. The soil is mainly the dark alluvial loam of the Wabash bottom, and the terrace lands are what are familiarly known as second bottom land. The latter is lighter in color, and not so deep as the former, but is better adapted to the cultivation of wheat ; while the soil of the first bottom is unexcelled for the culture of maize and the grasses. The transportation facilities are excellent, the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway extending northeast and south- west through the precinct ; while the Louisville, Evans- , linois. They reached the wilds of the Prairie State in ville and St. Louis road passes from-east to west through 1817, and Beauchamp was detailed to survey and plat its territory, forming a junction with the former road at , the town. Several emigrants came with them, and the the county seat, Mt. Carmel. Besides the railroads, it | nucleus for a settlement was founded. Messrs. Hinde and has the advantage of the river facilities, which at certain [ Beauchamp located with the other settlers in their newseasons of the year are of no small importance. found home. Subsequently the former returned to Ohio,

The first to make a home in Mt. Carmel precinct was j much good for h'is fellow-man in his time, and died re- Enoch Greathouse, a native of Germany, who emigrated gretted, Feb. - , 1846. His remains repose by the side to the United States in a very early day and first located of his second wife in the city cemetery of Mt. Carmel. in Pennsylvania. He subsequently removed to Ken- | Mr. Beauchamp, for many years, followed his chosen tucky, and in 1803 or '4 came to Illinois, and located -ft lure the city of Mt. Cam el now slaiids. His family counted if his wife, four children and one grandchild. The children were - Enoch, jr. ; Rachel, nee Beatton ; Leah, nee Woods ; and Isaac. The grandson was Elias yGreathouse, father of Sylvester Greathouse, who now lives in the city. Mr. G. sold his possessions to Messrs. Hinde & McDowell, and located at the now extinct town of Centerville, where he died many years ago at the advanced age of 110. years. Several of his descendants are living in this and Edwards county. Mrs. Sylvester Greathouse is a great-grand-daughter.

One of the early settlers to locate in this precinct was William Mclntosh, about 1814. He had come into possession of a large tract of land in the Illinois terriion, that of the ministry, and died suddenly in the State of Indiana, wlyle conducting a camp-meeting. He was a noted Methodist preacher, and a writer of more than local repu'.ation.

Hiram Bell was born in Virginia, and, when a young man, migrated to Illinois in the fall of 1817. He first located in Friendsville precinct. In 1824, he married Elizabeth Buchanan, by which union several children were born. When the county of Wabash was organized in 1824, he was elected circuit clerk, which office he filled for twenty-six years. The county seat was first established at Centerville. When it was removed to Mt. Carmel, in 1829, he moved thither, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1867. Having the confidence of the people, his life was spent mainly in tory, which was known in an early day as the " Mcln- their service. He filled the office of county clerk twentytosh Reserve." His house, which was quite pretentious j five years, besides being elected probate judge for a time.

for that day, was situated near the Wabash, at the foot of the Grand Rapids, about two miles north of the present city of Mt Carmel. He was a single man, but tradition says that his serving- woman (colored) bore him several children. But all have passed away, and none are left to bear the name or to give a history of the proprietor of Mclntosh manor. Jarvis Deal and Seth Gard were here about as early as Mclutosh. The former was among the first to locate in the now extinct town of Palmyra, and the latter, with Gard and a few others, were the projectors of the town.

Gervase Hazleton was one of the first settlers of old Palmyra, having come here as early as 1814. The first courts were held at his house. He was appointed clerk of the county in 1821 and served until 1823.

A prominent settler of 1817, and one of the founders of Mt. Carmel, was the Rev. Thomas S. Hinde, a native of Virginia. His father was the well-known Dr. Hiude of Virginia, who, during the French and Indian War, was a surgeon in the British navy, and was present when the gallant Gen. Wolf fell storming the Heights of Abraham. He subsequently located in Kentucky, and it was here that Thomas S. grew to manhood. When Ohio was organized as a State, Thomas was among the first pioneers. He had the honor, for several years, to be a member of the legislature in the new-formed State. In 1817 he associated himself with the Rev. William Beauchamp and Dr. William McDowell of Chillicothe, Ohio, to form a settlement or colony on ^the Wabash river, II-

Mrs. Bell is yet living, and is a resident of Mt Carmel. Four of the children are living, two of whom reside in the city: Judge Robert Bell is a prominent attorney, and James H. is a book-keeper for a firm in the town.

Joshua and James Beall, brothers, were born in Maryland, but subsequently moved to Ohio; and in 1818 came with other emigrants to the new- formed colony. They were both single men, and blacksmiths by trade. Iu 1819, Joshua married Judith Russell, and a few years later, abandoned blacksmithing, and embarked in the mercantile business, which occupation he followed until 1840, when he retired from active life. He died in Mt. Carmel in 1865. The only one of the family now living is Mrs. Wilson, widow of William Wilson, who resides in the above named city. James married a sister of Joshua's first wife, and reared a family. He also retired from blacksmithing, and subsequently held various county offices, besides serving one term in the State Legislature. He was twice married, his second wife being Caroline Cook. He died in Mt. Carmel in 1862, , his wife surviving him; she is now a resident of Indianapolis. None of the children are living in the county.

Others who were among the first emigrants from Ohio, were: Isaac Ingersoll, Edward Ulni, Joseph Jones, James Townsend, William Simonds, Aaron Gould^ Abraham Russell, Scoby Stewart, James Black, and several others, of whom, at this late date, it is impossible to get any record.

boy. He died in Mt Carmel but a few months ago, being at his death the oldest pioneer in the precinct. A daughter of Mr. Ulm, wife of William Stone, is a resident of this precinct. Mr. Stone is also one of the early settlers. John D., a son of Andrew Dyar, is a resident of the precinct, and has had the honor of being twice elected to the office of shei iff of the county. Two of the family of the pioneer, Joseph Jones, live in Mt. Carmel, Frank and Caroline, - the latter is the widow of Hiram Bedell. Two of James Townshend's children are yet living : John, who is in Mt. Carmel, and a daughter who resides in Indiana. Aaron Gould remained here for some years, when he removed to another part of the State ; several of his representatives are residents of the county. Scoby Stewart was one of the first merchants and justices of the peace in the city. He died many years ago.

William Simonds came from Ohio, and located about one and a-half miles northwest of Mt. Camel, and was one of the first to cultivate a farm in the precinct. He had a family of five children: Stephen, Elijah, William, junr., David, and Lydia (now the »idow of George Le- | gier). The latter re.-ides in Mt. Carmel, and David lives at the old homestead. Mr. Simonds and wife died some vears ago.

A pioneer of 1819 was Beauchamp Harvey, a native of Maryland, who in an early day went to Ohio. It was here that he enlisted in the service of the war of 1812, and was with General Hull's troops at the memorable surrender of Detroit. At the close of the war he returned to Ohio, where he married Esther Saylor, in 1816. In 1819 he migrated to Illinois, and located in Mt. Carmel. At this time the family consisted of two daughters, Jane and Sally. Five other children were born to the family : James, Mary, Judith, William P., and David, four of whom are living - James, and Judith I (wife of Daniel Titus) reside in Mt. Carmel ; David is in ! Coffee precinct ; and Mary (wife of Thomas J. Ray) re- , sides in Lawrence county. Mr. Harvey died at the old homestead in 1859 ; his wife survived him until 1873.

John Tilton was another emigrant of 1819, and was from New Jersey. He first located at Bald Hill prairie, in Friendsville precinct, but soon afterward moved to Mt. Carmel. He was one of the first hotel keepers of the town, and subsequently engaged in the mercantile business. He died here long ago. Several of his descendants are residents of Mt. Carmel and vicinity.

Samuel and Robert Rigg (brothers) came from Ohio in the same year as Mr. Tilton. Both of them had families. F. M. Rigg, a son of Samuel, resides at the homestead of his father, about three miles west of Mt. Carmel ; and James, another son, lives near him. Dr. Rigg, of Mt. Carmel, is a descendant of the Rigg pioneers. The county is largely sprinkled with those springing from these old families.

One of the oldest living settlers in the precinct is Captain James M. Sharp, a citizen of Mt. Carmel. He was born in Kentucky, and with his parents, moved to Indiana in 1814. He came to Mt. Carmel a eingle man, in 1825. He learned the trade of blacksmithing with Joshua Beall, with whom he remained until 1830. In 1836, he married Rebecca Tongas, from which union four children were born. Mrs. S. died in 1849. He subsequently married a sister (Julia) of his first wife. Only one of the children is living, Thomas P , who resides in Mt. Carmel. In 1832, Mr. Sharp engaged as engineer on the river, which occupation he followed until 1844. He subsequently became a river pilot on the Wabash and Ohio rivers, and continued in this service until 1856, when he retired from the business and engaged in farming. - He was elected to the State Legislature three terms, 1861, 1863, and 1867, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 18"0. He has now retired from active life, and is enjoying his old age with his wife in peace and plenty.

Isaac Hoskinson also came in 1825. He was a native of Virginia. His family then consisted of his wife and four children. He established the first foundry in the town, which was one of the first in the West- He died in 1828. Two of his sons reside in Mt. Carmel, F. A., and Isaac, Jr. O. B. Ficklin, now of Charleston, Coles county, 111., was a settler of 1830, and was once editor of the Mt. Carmel Register. He is now practicing law, and is among the oldest practitioners in the stale. We glean the following from a speech made by him at an old settler's meeting a few years ago, in_ the city of Olney. In speaking of the traffic of those early times, he says: " The ' possum' and the coon were important factors in the stock and trade. The meat was used for food and the furs for commerce. Deer skins, beeswax, and wild honey were a medium of traffic for the flat boats between Mt. Carmel and New Orleans, and in return they brought sugar, molasses, and other products of the South Bees were so numerous that they were hunted by saint and sinner." He relates of one of the pioneer preachers, when giving out his appointment during the bee-hunting season, as saying, '' That he would

Isaac N. Jaquess was born in Kentucky, and when a mere boy migrated with his mother to Missouri. He came to Mt. Carmel a single man, in 1831. Three years later he married Jane Tilton. She died in 1863, and in 1867, he married Katherine McClintock. Ten children have been born to him, four of whom are yet living ; I. W., James H., Laura J., wife of Dr. Rigg, and Ellen S., wife of Richard Weaver ; all of whom reside in Mt. Carmel and vicinity. Mr Jaquess is one of the BlackHawk soldiers, aud served as Chaplain in the War of the Rebellion. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, and has had the honor of representing the people in the State Legislature one term, 1872-3. He is now 72 years of age, and hale and hearty for one of his years. Is engaged in the lumber trade in Mt.

Other early settlers were Elijah Harris, Robert Lucas, Curtis Ivy, Jacob Tombs, A. L. Hobbs, P H. Bagwell and others who have probably passed out of mind of those now living.

The first medical practitioner in this part of the county was Dr. Reuben Baker, who located in Mt. Carmel several years before the county was formed. Other early physicians were, Drs. Allison, Fithian, Trail, Anderson, Harvey and Rigg. Dr. Fithian left Mt. Carmel in the spring of 18:33. Dr. James Harvey has retired from practice. Drs. T. J. Rigg and Paul Sears are yet practicing in the city.

First Land Entries. - Believing that the early land entries will be of interest to the reader, we here record the first made in the precinct. The following are in Tp. 1 S., R. 12 W.: October 24th, 1814, John Marshall entered the N. W. J of fractional sec. 28. Nov. 1st, 1814, Enoch Greathouse entered all of fractional sec. No. 20 that lies within the limits of the state. April 25th, 1817, Thos. S. Hinde entered 480 acres of the east part of sec. 29. The following entries are in Tp. 1 S., R. 13 W.: June 12th, 1816, James Majors entered the S. W. } of sec. 1. April 12th, 1817, Enoch Greathouse entered the N. W. } of same section. Jan. 7th, 1817, Henry Atter entered the S. E. k of sec. 3. June 16th, 1817, A. Vauderveer & Smook entered the N. E. i of sec. 11. Maudove Beauchamp entered, Aug. 5th, 1817, all of sec 14, except 58 acres in the northeast. James English, Apr. 25th, 1817, entered all of sec. 24. The same date, John Collins entered the N. t of sec. 25. Same date, Joshua Beall entered the E. J of the S. E. i of sec. 25. Same date, Cornelius McCallen entered the S. W. t of sec. 26. Jan. 22nd, 1818, David Beauchamp entered the S. E. t of sec 26 March 18th, 1818, John Russell entered the W. i of the S. W. } of sec. 12. June 15th, 1818, Henry Christy entered the W. i of the N. E. i of sec. 12 Juni 10th, 1818, Win. Beauchamp entered the E. J of the S. W. i of sec. 23. Sept. 17th, 1818, J. & J. Dunlop entered the S. W. i of sec. 15. June 26th, 1818, Scoby Stewart entered the N. E. i of sec. 1. The following entries are in Tp. 2 S., R. 13 W : Dec. 13th, 1815, A. Lavulette entered the S. E. i of sec. 3. Jan. 3rd, 1817, John Nestler entered the S. W. i of sec. March 20th, 1817, Thos. S. Hinde entered the S. i of sec. 2.

Early Navigation Of The Wabash

The first navigation of the Wabash river was by means of rudely constructed flat and keel boats, which were propelled by poles or sweeps. So unwieldy were they, that after propelling them to the markets below, they were left, and the navigators usually walked back to their homes. Ye of the Iron Age, where steam power has virtually wiped out distance, imagine, if you can, a tramp on foot from New Orleans to Mt Carmel, and with the small amount of money obtained by traffic safely stowed in a side pocket.

The first steamboat that came up the Wabash as far as Mt. Carmel was the Commerce, commanded by Jacob Strades, in 1819. It came from Cincinnati, and passed up the river as far as Terre Haute. It was not until about 1832, that steam-boating on the Wabash commenced with much regularity. Prior to this, one boat within the year was about the extent of steam navigation. From 1832 to 1856, the business was quite active, but soon afterward the railroads came into vogue, and the steamboat traffic became almost a dead letter, so that to-day there is scarcely a boat on the river. Now and then a tug-boat makes its appearance, but this is only at long intervals.

Old Palmyra

This extinct town was the first county seat of Edwards county when said county embraced about one-third of the present state of Illinois, and quite a portion of the states of Michigan and Wisconsin, its northern boundary extending north to Upper Canada. The town was laid off by Seth Gard & Company, April 22nd, 1815, and is described as follows : Lying on the Wabash river on part of the two fractional lots or sections, numbers 4 and 5, in township one south of Base Line, and range twelve west of the second principal meridian. In its palmiest days it was a town of considerable pretensions, containing several stores, hotels, banks, etc., beside the county buildings. The buildings were constructed mainly of hewed logs, many of them being double in proportions It seems that it was a great oversight by the County Commissioners in selecting this point for the capital of the county, as it is at a sluggish bend in the river, on a sand ridge, and was nearly surroundedjwith low marshes and sloughs. The Indians warned the people by saying, " Indian die here, squaw die here, pappoose die here, and white man die here." It proved too true, for the town became noted as one of the most sickly localities in the West. The inhabitants died by the hundreds and were buried in the sand ridge below the town. Nothing but a cornfield now marks the spot of either the town or cemetery ; not even a head-stone exists to inform the passer-by that hundreds of Palmyra's dead lie here.

It would be needless to add that in a few years a vote was submitted to the people to re-locate the county seat. Albion and Mt. Carmel were rival towns for said honor, the former town being the choice of the people- This was in 1821, only a few years after the close of the war of 1812. Albion being an English settled town, the people east of Bonpas creek felt very much aggrieved over the county business passing into the hands of the British, as they somewhat jealously termed the citizens of Albion and vicinity. Four companies of militia-men were enrolled and drilled in and about Mt. Carmel, and made ready, at a moment's notice, to march upon Albion and secure the records. The crisis arrived, and the companies of militia met at Bald Hill Prairie, where they encamped for the night, preparatory to marching on to Albion early the next morning. Before reaching the town they were met by a committee, sent from Albion to make terms of peace. A compromise was effected and the militia disbanded. Three years 1 ater, Wabash became a county, and had the privilege of managing its own domestic affairs.

City Of Mt. Cakmel

This fine little city is situated on a prominent bluff overlooking the Wabash, nearly a half mile distant to the southward. Intervening is a large common belonging to the city, and by its side the river silently wends its way to mingle its waters with the Ohio. It is the capital of Wabash county, and geographically, is located in the central eastern part of the precinct, township one, range twelve west of the second principal meridian, and now comprises about three square miles. The founders, Rev. Thos. S. Hinde and William McDowell, in 1817, conceived the idea of establishing and populating a town on the Wabash - then the Western frontier - that should have a civil and moral code peculiar to their views of right and justice. Some time in 1818 the site was selected, surveyed and platted. The town was laid out on a large scale - and, to induce immigration, lots were do' nated to those who would improve the same within a given time. Articles of association were drafted for the government of the town and placed of record, Sept. 21, 1818. These articles made liberal provision for the building of a seminary, and instituting a bank, all of which should be under the joint control of the lawabiding citizens of the town. Article 18 of the association has, in later years, been denominated " blue laws," on account of their Puritanic significance. We will here give a synopsis of the aforesaid Articles : " No theatre or playhouse shall ever be built within the bounds of the city. No person shall be guilty of drunkenness, profane swearing or cursing, Sabbath-breaking, or who shall keep a disorderly house, shall gamble, or suffer gambling in his house, or raise a riot in the city, or be guilty of any other crime of greater magnitude, etc., he shall be subject to trial by the court or mayor." On conviction, the culprit was disqualified from holding' any office in the city, or the bank, and was also disqualified to vote for any bank or city officers. This ostracism was to continue for three years after the commission of the so-called crime.

One of the first houses in the town was constructed by Francis Dixon in 1818, and was situated in what is now an alley between Third and Fourth streets. It was a double log-cabin, and Mr. Dixon resided in one part of it, and sold goods in the other. This was the first store in the town. The first frame house was built by Scoby Stewart, and located on Fifth street between Main and Chestnut streets. The two next were the old Townshend property and the Judge Shannon place. The former is yet standing, and is now the residence of Mrs. Stillwdl, on Second street ; the latter is on Main street. A foun dry was established in 1823 by Joseph L.Wilson, and located on the lot now occupied by G. C. Turner. The first tavern was built about 1819, and situated on Mulberry street. It was long known as " The Old Red Tavern,"" and was kept in an early day by Reuben Baker. It ia yet standing, and is now utilized for a dwelling.

Russell & Stewart constructed the first flouring mill. This was in about 1822. It was built on the old treadwheel power of action, and situated on the premises now owned by A. C. Edgar, on Second street. Opposite this mill, John Buntiu established the first tan-yard. He was a colored man, and subsequently removed to Liberia, Africa. The first ferry was conducted by R. Ballentine in 1817 or '18. The crossing was made at the same point on the river as the present ferry. The means of crossing was a flat-boat, operated by poles or sweeps. The first steam flouring-mill was built in 1833 by J. L. Wilson, and located on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Parkinson. The first justices of the peace were Scoby Stewart, Beauchamp Harvey and Joseph Jones. The first school-house was built about 1823, and was situated on the lot now occupied by Charles Russell. It was a log building of no great pretensions. The first person to teach in it was a man by the name of Curry. He was succeeded by Mr. Schofield, and later Mrs. Joy became the teacher. The early town market was conducted under a locust tree where the school-house now stands. This was in 1836, and at that time there were not more than a dozen houses in that part of the town east of Mulberry street, and they were nearly all log buildings. The business then was wholly confined to Main street, between First and Second streets.

The first brick church built in the state of Illinois was constructed in Mt. Carmel by the Methodist Episcopal Society in 1824. It was situated on the corner of Fourth and Mulberry streets. At the time of its building church bells had not been introduced in this part of the West, and the congregation was notified of the time for church services by hideous resounding blasts from a cow's horn sent forth from the church door. For many years the walls of this sacred building only echoed to the divine Word, and the songs of praise and thanksgiving ; but a change came, the house was gold, and the sacrilegious John Baumgartner transformed its consecrated walls into a brewery. Subsequently it was used for a dwelling, and was finally destroyed by the cyclone of 1877.

The first to conduct church services in the town and for quite a distance around, was the Rev. Charles Slocumb. His circuit embraced all that part of Illinois and ludiana lying on the Wabash river, between its mouth and Terre Haute, extending some distance into the interior of either state. Among other early divines were, I. Stewart, Robert Delop, Samuel Hull, William McReynolds, and others.

Incorporation. - Mt. Carmel was incorporated as a village under an act passed by the state legislature, and approved January 10, 1825. The first trustees were, Nathan Fry, Scoby Stewart, Joshua Beall, Abraham Russell, James Townshend, William Si- monds, and Edward Ulra. Mt. Carmel was incorporated as a city under a special act of the legislature, approved February loth, 1865, and the first election for officers was" held May 1, following. The officers elect were, Mayor, James M. Sharp ; Alderman, 1st ward, 4. Schmalhausen and George Bedell ; 2d ward, P. Rosignol, and J. S. Johnston ; 3d ward, Richard H. Hudson and James Higbee. Clerk, Chas. E. McClintock. The appointed officers were, Marshal, Michael I Willman ; Street Commissioner, Richard Adams ; Sur- I veyor, William Koser; Treasurer and Assessor, William McDowell; Police Magistrate, David Martin. The following are the present city officers : Mayor, John Sites ; Aldermen, 1st ward, Louis Rees and Louis Kamp ; 2d ward, Sebastian Seller and John Olendorf ; 3d ward, Henry J. Henning and Anthony Spaeth. Clerk, S. R. Putnam ; Treasurer, M F. Reinsmith ; Marshall, Heury Utter; City Attorney, S. Greathouse; Police Magistrate, I. H. Brees ; City Printer, F. W. Havill ; City Jailor, John Peterson.

The city of Mt. Carmel has had more than its share of reverses coupled with its history of rise and progress. Indeed, a less plucky and energetic people might have abandoned it to the fates long ago. Twice has the city been scourged with flames, in each instance aggregating in losses hundreds of thousands of dollars. The great floods of 1875 and 1876 created immense losses to both city and country; but the most serious calamity that has befallen it was the great cyclone of June 4, 1877, which not only demolished a large portion of the city, but fourteen persons lost their lives, seventy-five were wounded, and five hundred people rendered houseless and homeless. At least one hundred houses were demolished* and it required weeks to clear the streets from the debris.

The storm came from a little south of west, its line of destruction embracing all of Fourth street and a large portion of the terrritory lying between Third and. Fifth streets. The duration of the storm did not exceed two minutes, the velocity of the tornado being estimated at 150 miles an hour. The atmosphere was filled with flying timber, boards, shingles and other objects, which were carried to the distance of a mile or more. One paper, a note of hand for $47, was picked up in a field near Petersburg, Indiana, about thirty miles from Mt. Carmel.

In much less time than it takes to write it, the city was a ruin. The groans of the wounded, and the shrieks of the women and children mingled with the roaring of the storm. Pen cannot depict or describe the wild confusion of that fearful calamity. A fire broke out in the meantime, which added further horrors to the already unprecedented disaster. Relief committees were appointed, and the people of the state responded liberally to the wants of the sufferers. The city has been rebuilt, so that at this writing the stranger would not recognize by the surroundings that such a demon of destruction had ever visited it.

Leading Business Interests, Etc., Of 1882

Kamp's Steam Flouring Mills, Louis Kamp, Proprietor. This industry was established by the firm of Mauk Bros, about 1856, and came into the possession of the present proprietor in the summer of 1879. The mills are situated on the east side near the foot of Market street. The building is a frame, four stories and basement, and 48 x 52 feet on the ground. The engine i and boiler room is a one story briek and 36 x 48 feet in | size. It contains four runs of stone and a double set of rolls, with a capacity of manufacturing 120 barrels of flour daily. It does both merchant and custom work, and ships its product to New Orleans, Baltimore, Philadelphia and other leading cities of the South and East. ! Its favorite brands are "Snow Flake" and "Pride of | the West." Six men are given employment, and the estimated annual value of product is $50,000. The machinery is driven by a sixty horse-power engine.

Planing Mill. - This Mill is owned and operated by Edward Miller. It was constructed by him in the spring of 1875, and is located on the south side of Third Street, between Walnut and Chestnut streets. .The building is a frame, two stories, and 42 x 70 feet in size. The capital invested is estimated to be about $5,000. It is engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, and every other article peculiar for building purposes, and keeps in employment eight hands. The annual value of manufactured product is about $4,000. The machinery is run by a thirty horse-power engine.

The Wabash Valley Mills were established in the summer of 1860, by the firm of Gould & Young, and in 1868, the firm changed to Randolph & Young. In 1881, Mr. Young bought the entire interest and is the present owner. The mill is situated on the southwest corner of Ninth and Cherry streets. It is a frame, two stories, with attic, and 40 x 60 feet in dimensions. Estimated capital invested, $5,000. It contains two runs of stone, and a capacity of manufacturing sixty barrels of flour per day, and requires the employment of three men. It is purely a custom mill and furnishes the trade with most of the flour for the city. The value of the yearly product is estimated at $25,000. Thespecial brand is the " Wabash Valley Flour." Engine power, forty-horse.

Steam Saw Mill owned by Jaquess & Chipman. This mill is located on the Wabash river, south of the city, on the common adjoining the town. plat. The present mill was built in 1882, at a cost of about $4,000. It has a capacity of turning out 15,000 feet of lumber daily, and gives employment to fifteen men The saw is circular, sixty inch diameter, with top saw, besides the mill contains an edging and lath saw. Estimated value of yearly product, $25,000. The machinery is run by a forty horse power engine.

Foundry and Repair Works. - This industry was established by John Hartman, and is located on Fourth street, between Market and Mulberry streets* In the spring of 1859, the works were purchased by Philip Reel, who is the present proprietor. The building is a frame, one story, and 30 x 113 feet in size. It was nearly demolished by the cyclone, in 1877, but has been rebuilt. The capital invested is about $5,000. Work in brass and iron castings, and all repairs of machinery is made a specialty. Three operators are employed in the works.

Furniture Factory, A. M. Stein, Proprietor. This factory was established in 1880, and is situated on Fourth street between Mulberry and Cherry streets. The medium class of furniture is manufactured, employing three workmen. The estimated annual value of product is $2 000. Mr. Stein contemplates, in a few months, constructing a large factory to be run by steam power, and will require the employment of fifteen or twenty hands.

Steam Saw Mill owned and operated by W. H. Brown. It is situated on the river bank south of the city, on what is known as the " Six-pole Reserve. It was built in 1867. The saw is a sixty-inch circular saw, also top-saw, with a capacity of cutting 5,000 feet of lumber daily. When in full running order about fifteen men are employed. It is driven by a twenty-five horse power engine.

Stave Factory of R. W. Weaver. This factory was built by the present owner in 1872, and situated on the river a little west of the railroad bridge. It has the capacity of turning out 15,000 per day, and employs ten men. The product is shipped to various points of the country. The capital invested is about $2,500, and the value of yearly product is $15,000.

Furniture Factory. - This business is conducted by Walter & Son. Was establiahed in 1869, and is located on the west side of Main street, corner of Sixth and Main.

The building is a frame, two stories, containing two rooms, work and sales-rooms. Three jnen are employed, and about $5000 worth of work is turned out annually.

Mt. Carmel Marble Works. - This business was established by the present proprietor, Henry Burrucker, in February, 1867. It is situated on the north side of Third street, between Market and Chestnut streets. The building is a one-story frame, and 16x42 feet on the ground. The capital invested is about $800, and the annual sales will reach $3000. From four to six men are employed. Mr. B. puts up all his own work, and is a practical workman in all branches of the business.

Carriage Factory. - F. J. Kuhn, proprietor. The business was commenced in 1871, and located on the east side of Market street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. The factory includes two building?, repository and paint shop. Manufactures all kinds of carriages and spring wagons. Three men are given employment, and about $4,000 worth of stock is turned out annually. Capital invested, $2.500

Furniture Factory of Grave and Walter. - This establishment is situated on the west side of Market street, between Fourth and Fifth streets. The firm commenced business in 1871. Three men are employed, and the value of product sold is estimated at 82000.

Steam Saw Mill. - This mill is owned by the firm of Morgan & Armstrong, and is located on the river bank a little above the railroad bridge. It has the capacity of sawing about 5000 feet of lumber daily, and employs from ten to twelve men.

I Bannister and Table-leg Factory. - This industry was recently established - 1882 - with a capital invested of $1200. Five men are employed, and it has the capacity of turning out 1000 feet of material daily. It is situated on the river just east of the Air Line railroad bridge, - F. A. Hoskinson proprietor. A little east of this factory and also near the river, is another factory of the same kind, and about the same capacity. It is owned by Mr. Baker.

Furniture Factory, owned and operated by Noller & Co., and situated on Market street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. This is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in the city, having been established in 1853 by Mr. Noller, and at one time having in his employ as many as twenty hands. Only two men are now engaged in the work. The firm is also engaged in the manufacture of cider and vinegar.

! Bank owned by E. F. Beall. - It was established in 1871 under the firm name of Shannon & Beall, but since 1880, it has been wholly under the control of Mr. Beall. It is located on the east side of Market street, street, between third and Fourth streets. The capital of

I the bank is fully adequate to do a safe banking business. It is furnished with Hall's fire and burglar proof safe, with time lock, and located in a fine, two-story brick building, owned by Mr. Beall.

Mt. Carmel Coal Company. - This company was established in the fall of 1882. The mine is situated on the Air Line railway about five miles west from Mt. Car-

1 mel. The depth of the shaft is forty feet, and the thickness of the coal vein is four feet. The quality of coal is considered good, being known as the " Splint" coal.

j Brick Works of George B. Blood are situated just north of the city limits. It contains one kiln of large dimensions. In the season for work about ten hands are employed.

School Buildings. - The city contains three district school buildings, the larger of which is situated in the southeast part of town, on a high rolling plat of ground. This building contains four rooms, is constructed of brick, and is two stories high, and was built at a cost of $10,000. The other school-houses have two rooms each, and in all, eight teachers are employed, with an attendance of about 400 pupils. The schools are well graded, it requiring three years to take the high school course. Besides the public schools, the city affords two parochial schools.

The Ferry. - For the convenience of those desiring to cross the river, a ferry is established just above the Air Line railroad bridge. It is conducted by means of horse power ; Thomas Deputy, ferryman.

Bu8Inks8 Houses, Trade, Etc

Churches - Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran, Episcopal, Albright, Christian, and Catholic, all of which are constructed of brick. For a complete history of the newspapers and churches see special chapters on the Press, and Ecclesiastical History.

Mt. Carmel Lodge, No. 239, A. F. and A. M., was chartered October 7th, 1857, with seven charter members. The present membership is 41. Total number initiated is 150. The Lodge meets on the first and third Tuesday nights of each month. It is in excellent standing financially, having $1,000 in the treasury.

Mt. Carmel Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M., was instituled February 7th, 1873, with 9 charter members. The present membership is 31. Total number enrolled, 48. The Chapter meets on the first and third Friday nights in each month. One of the charter members, S. Shannon, is the present Most Excellent G. H. P. of the Grand Chapter of the State of Illinois.

Wabtuh Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., chartered July 28th, 1848, as will be seen by its number, was among the first Lodges established in the State. The number of charter members, 5 ; present membership, 92. Total number enrolled, 296. The Lodge meets every Saturday night, and is said to be the best working Lodge in the State. It is entirely out of debt, and has a surplus fund of $2,000 in the treasury. Since its organization it has paid out $7,500 for charity.

Sinon Encampment, No. 11, I. O. O. F. received its charter Oclober, lOlh, 1855, having 7 charter members. Its present membership is 32, and the lolal number enrolled is 110. The Encampment meets on the first and third Monday of each monlh.

Aft. Carmel Rebekah Degree, No. 80, I. O -O. F. was chartered January llth, 1876, with 15 members. Total number of members, 32. It meets on the second and fourth Mondays in each month at 7 o'clock, p. M.

Ml. Carmel Lodge, No. 178, A. O. U. W. was instituted March 28th, 1881, with 23 charter members, with a membership at this writing of 28. Total number enrolled, 32. The Lodge meets on the second and fourth nights of each month.

Mt. Carmel Lodge, No. 159, I. O. G. T. was chartered December 15th, 1880, with a charter membership of 54. Present number of members in good standing, 52. Whole number enrolled, 104. The Lodge meets every Tuesday evening in Good Templars' Hall, on west corner of Third and Main streets. The financial condition of the Lodge is good and the membership is rapidly increasing.

The city contains a population of about 2,200. The walks and streets are kept in good condition, aud ornamental and forest trees adorn various portions of the

Two other towns, Powhatan and Selma, were laid off a little north and east of Mt. Carmal, but they only exist on paper, no buildings or improvements having been made thereon.

Centerville, the first country seat of Wabash, after its separation from Edwards, in 1824, was laid out south of the base line, in Mt. Carmel precinct. The court house, now doing duty as a barn, was a frame two-story build-

, ing. It was in use as the place of holding the courts of the county till they were removed to Mt. Carmel. Dr. Baker built a store in the town, about the time it was

, laid out, 1824, and did a considerable amount of business. He supplied, at this point, a market for castor beans, which he made into oil. A carding machine was set up by Asel Brines, soon after the town was laid off. It continued in operation a number of years. The site of the town is now a body of farming land, and nothing remains to mark what was once a center of business activity.

THE Sears family, on the paternal side, are of English I ancestry. Richard Sears, who was the first of the family to come to America, was born in Colchester, England, and came with the Pilgrims in the Mayflower, landing on Plymouth Rock in 1620. He died in Yarmouth in 1676. He married Doratha Thacker, who died in 1678 His son, Paul, the great great-grandfather of the present family was born in 1636. He married Deborah Williams and died in 1707. His son, also named Paul, died in 1740. He had a son named Daniel, who was the grandfather of Paul Sears, the subject of this sketch. He died in 1797. One of his offspring was Nathan Sears, the father, who was born in Massachusets and graduated in medicine in Boston. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. Bryant, the father of the poet, William Cullen Bryant, who was then studying law. The Sears family are well known in the annals of the Old Bay State. Many of them became famous and prominent in their day. Nathan Sears, after his graduation in medi- cine, came west to Ohio and settled in Zanesville, and there practiced his profession. In 1834 he removed to Wayne county, Michigan, and remained there until the fall of 1839, when he came to Mt Carrael, in Wabash county, Illinois, and continued a resident of this place until his death, which occurred February 1st, 1848. Married Mrs. Grace Newkirk, nee Loper, who was of a '- distinguished and noted family of New Jersey. She survived her husband and died in Mt. Carmel, Nov. 24, 1863. She had three children by her latter marriage. Clarissa, the only daughter, is the wife of E. B. Bishop, now of San Francisco, California. Nathan Henry Sears, the youngestson, died Nov. 20, 1862. Paul, the eldest son whose portrait heads this page, was born near Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, June 5th, 1820. He received a good English education in the Granville and Elyria high school and college. He went with his father to Michigan in 1834, and remained there until the spriug of 1840, when he came to Mt. Carmel and joined his father, who had preceded him here the year before. He determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and adopt medicine as a profession. He accordingly commenced the study under the direction of his father and assisted the letter in his office. He continued his studies at home until 1843, when he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and attended lectures. He received his diploma in 1845, and then commenced the practice in Mt. Carmel. His practice soon grew large and lucrative, and his professional services extended over a wide scope of territory. Not infrequently he would ride sixty miles in twenty-four hours, making calls upon and attending his patients. In short, Dr. Sears was personally known in almost every household in Wabash and surrounding counties. In connection with his practice he opened a drug store, and for many years was engaged in that business. He also engaged in other enterprises at different times, but all were such as did not interfere seriously with his profession. Few physicians in the state have been so long in the practice as Dr. Sears. In the long years passed by he has achieved much success, both professionally anrl financially. His busy life has brought its just reward? in securing to him a competency and independence in his declining years.

On the 5th of May, 1841, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Gibson, of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the daughter of Alexander and Martha (Sturges) Gibson. By the union of Paul and Eliza J. Sears, there have been three children - two sons and one daughter. Alfred Alexander, the eldest son, studied medicine, and was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. He died Dec. 13, 1867. Charles Nathan, the .youngest son, also read medicine, and had taken one course at the same medical college. He died Aug. 18, 1864. Both were bright young men, and gave evidence of future usefulness and adornment to the profession. Clara A , the only daughter, is the wife of Hon. S. Z. Landis. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. Politically he has uniformly acted and voted with the Democratic party. Among the people with whom Dr. Sears has passed the greater part of his life, and who know him best, all accord him the reputation of being an honorable, public-spirited citizen, and honest man, and a kind-hearted, obliging neighbor.

John Schrodt

ONE of the most successful farmers of Wabash countv is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Rhine Hesse, Germany, May 4th, 1830 John Schrodt, hi.- father, was also a native of that country. In 1838 he emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans. He came up the river to Illinois, where he was met by Mr. Seiler, who brought him and his family to Wabash county. Here he bought ninety acres of laud in section

36, T. 1 S., 13 W. It was not improved. They lived in a school-house until such time as they could build their house, which they moved into the July following. Here Mr. Schrodt lived, made a fine farm, and remained until he retired from active life. He died January 2d, 1866. His wife survived him, and died in 1878.

There were six children, four of whom were born in Germany, and two here in Wabash county. All of them are living except Catherine, who was the wife of Michael Broedel. She died April 21st, 1883. John, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest son. He was in his boyhood when his parents came to Illinois. Here he grew to manhood, and was reared to habits of industry and economy. He received a fair knowledge of the rudimentary branches of education in the subscription schools of an early day. He remained at home, assisting his father, until he was twenty-one years of age. He then made a start for himself. His father gave him eighty acres of land, twenty-four of which were cleared ; it is the same tract upon which his residence now stands. He first, however, started upon thirty acres of land which he had rented.

Soon after he married and built a house which still stands near his present residence. Upon that place he has lived, working hard, living economically, and managing his business well - so that the original eighty acres have grown to fifteen hundred. Eight hundred acres are cleared up and under cultivation. It will be seen that Mr. Schrodt possesses more than ordinary good business judgment, united with industry and energy. To accumulate that body of land unaided, the fruits of his own toil, is conclusive evidence that his life has been a busy as well as a successful one.

On the 8th of July, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Maria Broedel, who was born in Bavaria, Germany. She came to America with her parents in 1849. She died Feb. 19th, 1882. There were twelve children by that marriage, six of whom are living. Their namesare: Mary E., George W., Philip, BenjaminF., Laura E. and Michael D. All those that are deceased, died in infancy, except Catherine, who was the wife of H. F. Goeke, who was killed in the cyclone that visited Mt. Carmel, June 5tb, 1877. She left no children. Mr. Schrodt, after the death of his wife, married Catherine Sterl. Both are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, Mr. Schrodt was originally a democrat, and voted for Franklin Pierce in 1852. He was opposed to slavery, which naturally carried him into the republican party, and he has acted with that organization till the present. In 1867, Mr. Schrodt visited the land of his birth, where he went to seek rest and recruit his health. He remained abroad one year, and returned well pleased with his trip, and much improved in health.

It should be mentioned that his father was a locksmith, and afterwards carried on blacksmithing. He did not not do much work on the farm ; therefore, the lead, to some extent, depended on John, the eldest son.

Abraham Jjtter Elizabeth Utter

ABRAHAM UTTER (DECEASED). THE Utter family is of German ancestry. Henry Utter, the grandfather of the present family, was born jn Allegheny county, New York. He there married his first wife. She died, leaving four children. He subsequently married Rachael Hendricks, whose father was a revolutionary soldier. Henry Utter was a soldier of the war of 1812, and rose to the position of major, and was ever after known as " Major Utter." In 1817 he came west to the territory of Illinois and settled in the old town of Palmyra, the first county seat of Wabash, then a part of Edwards county. The next spring he went out to Bald Eagle prairie, and there bought land, improved it, and remained there until his death. He was a millwright by trade. Abraham Utter was the second son of Henry and Rachael (Hendricks) Utter. He was born in Allegheny county, New York, March 11, 1812, and was in his fifth year when the family came west. His eldest brother, John, was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Abraham remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went to SchuylQr county, Illinois, where his brother was living, and there peddled fanning mills. Four or five years later he returned to his home in Wabash county, and in 1836 purchased the interest of the other heirs in the homestead, and soon after purchased a place near Centreville, improved it and remained there fifteen years, then bought the place where his widow now lives, near Mt. Carmel, and there remained until his death, which occurred Sept. 15, 1872.

In his life Mr. Utter was of an industrious and energetic nature. He was possessed of much good business judgment and foresight, and succeeded in accumulating a large amount of property. He was of a quiet disposition, of reserved manners, speaking little but quick to decide for or against any business proposition. He \ loved his home and was domestic in his habits and ' tastes, and kind and indulgent to his family. He was a member of the Christian church from 1862 until his death. On the 28th of March, 1839, he married Miss Elizabeth Penston. She was born in Atlantic county, New Jersey, May 22, 1820. Her parents, John and Sarah (Lake) Penston, were natives of the same state- They came to Wabash county, Illinois, in 1823, and settled in Mt. Carmel, but soon after moved to Bald Eagle prairie. Mrs. Utter still survives her husband. There are nine children, the offspring of the union of Abraham and Elizabeth Utter, whose names in the

Gordon, born May 18th, 1840. They have three children living, named Amy Ellen, Robert Abraham and Walter Spafford. Josiah, the eldest son, died in his second year. Henry, born June 7th, 1845. He was a soldier during the late war, and was a member of Co. I, 5th regiment His. cavalry. He married Miss Harriet Lanterman, and they have three children, whose names are Effie, Edward Everett and Minnie C. Edwifi.born Nov. 21st, 1850, and died in 1856. Lewis, died in early childhood. Robert Carrol, died in infancy. John Charles, born Dec. 14th, 1859. He was educated and graduated from Eureka College in Woodford county, Illinois, studied medicine and graduated from the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a resident and practising physician in South Pueblo, Colorado. Elizabeth, the youngest of the family, was born Sept. 15, 1862, and was united in marriage March 7th, 1883, to Samuel Bearaon. Mrs. Utter is a member of ' the Christian church.