Mount Auburn Township

Mount Auburn Township

The following notes of the editor of the &iit//amuii Journal, of September 18, 1839, are expressive of the status of this section of country at that date. " Messrs. John Grigg, J. V. Williamson and Augustus S. Mitchell, of Philadelphia, Pa., Cyrus P. Smith, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Elias P. Bishop, of New Haven, Ct., and J. B. Augur, now a resident of Mt. Auburn, are the proprietors of a tract of land in Dane county (late south-east part of Sangamon county), containing about 40,000 acres, 15,000 of which are heavily timbered. The entry lies on and south of the North Fork of the Sangamon river, and is, on the north and east, bounded by Mosquito ( or Silver Creek) ; west by Buckhart Creek, and south by prairie. It is about ten miles long and six broad. About the centre of this tract rises Mt. Auburn, elevated some fifty feet above the surrounding country. This elevation is most beautiful and commands an extensive view, overlooking the country for some ten or fifteen miles, and embracing within the limits of vision the towns of Allenton, Stoniugtou, and but for an intervening skirt of timber Edinburg, and part of Sangamon and Logan counties. The improvements in ]Mt. Auburn are at this time limited. It was surveyed and platted by J. R. Skinner, July 11, 1839 ; not a blow had been struck for its improvement until this date. Now it has one large store, one large barn, designed for the use of a tavern, and one dwelling-house. Materials are now collected for the erection of a brick tavern house, which it is intended will be second to none in the state, the walls of which will be commenced forthwith. A brick church (an evidence of the high moral and religious feeling of Mr. Grigg, as well as his liberality), will be erected in the ensuing spring. There are already several superior eastern mechanics located in the place, embracing joiners, carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, masons, and brick-makers. As an evidence of the licalth of the j)lace, a case of sickness has not occurred among them. Mt. Auburn is located on Sec. 12, T. 15, Range 2 W. It is twenty two miles from Springfield and twenty south-west of Decatur. It lies on the main road from Springfield to Terre Haute, which is a leading route for travelers. It is within five miles of the Xorthern Cross railroad, and about eighteen miles from the Illinois Central railroad. It is expected that the Northern Cross railroad will be completed from the Illinois river to Springfield by the 1st of June, 1840, which will be within twenty-two miles of Mt. Auburn.

"Within a circuit of eight miles around Mt. Auburn 140 families are located. The popidation recently arrived is mostly from the New England states. The old residents are generally from Kentucky, Tennessee and the south. The tract of country belonging to this companv, for beautv, fertility and health we do not believe is exceeded in any location in the state. Tiie laud is gently and agreeablv undulating, such as any eastern man would .select for a farm, everv foot of which seems capable of cultivation. The soil generally is equal to the best portions of Sangamon ; it contains a larger portion of sand than some of our soils, and as experience has shown, this description of soil will stand the drought uuich better than heavier soils, and at the same time is much warmer and can be improved earlier in the season. The policy of the company is liberal ; they wish to secure an intelligent, moral and industrious population. To secure these results, they will dispose of neither lands or town lots, but to such as will make actual settlements."

"Is situated in a very desirable climate removed from the extremes of heat and cold - in about the latitude of Philadelphia. The winters from necessity, are much shorter than those of the New England states, and the cost and labor of raising cattle is almost incomparably less. All the fruits, vegetables and grapes, which flourish in the northern states, here succeed in great perfection and with far less labor, and besides the country produces southern vegetables to which the farmers of the north are strangers. The facility of making farms upon our prairies is good. The emigrant can make a better farm in the prairie in two or three years time than in timbered land in fifteen years. The country in a short period of time must become densely populated. The company design to erect a steam mill at Mt. Auburn the ensuing spring. It will secure the rapid improvement of the town. Tiiere is a saw-mill within four miles of the town, on the Sangamon river, propelled liy water power, but it is not able to supply a tithe of the demand for lumber. John Grigg's liberality to this town is known and acknowledged. Williamson is an opulent and retired merchant of Philadelphia. Mr. Mitchell is well known as the publisher of most of the maps of the day. Mr. Bishop is a stock man, and is making arrangements to bring to this cnunty a valuable breed of foreign cattle.'

Fird Sliam Mill. - The first steam mill built in the county was by John B. Augur, in Mt. Auburn, in the summer of 1840. The were furni.shed by T. F. Sccor & Co.. of Philadelphia; consisting of a steam engine, twenty-horse power, with sufficient boiler for steam and mill gear for two run of stones ; and for two sawstogether with mill stones, burr, bolting cloth all complete, and same delivered at Beardstown, Illinois, for .85300. Mr. Augur was the agent of the Eastern colony, settling in and around Mt. Auburn. None but the saw mill and one pair of burrs, for grinding corn, was ever put in operation. This enterprise measurably tailed, owing to the " hard ^times " and depression in monetary matters,

The bounds of the North Fork precinct, were reduced from time to time in the formation of new precincts ; but Mt. Auburn and Mosquito townships remained together till the adoption of township organization in the spring of 1866. The places of voting have l)een at different points ; first at Forgus Milligans, when the county was organized ; second, at Dr. Leeds' place, now owned by Daniel Kiger; third, on P^squire John Benson's farm, now owned by Dial Davis; fourth, M. P. Goodrich's old farm residence; fifth, Mt. Auburn and sixth at Bolivar. At the organization of the countv, the North Fork precinct elected, August 5th, 1S39, A. D. Northcutt and James Baker its first justices of the peace, and James M. Fletcher and Thos. E. V. Farris, its first constables. The total vote then cast in the whole northern part of the county was about IDO. At the presidential election in November, 1876, embracing the same territory, the total vote cast was about 1000. In Mt. Auburn township, at this same election, the vote cast was 379.

( »n the adoption of township organization in 1866, the county court formed the Mt. Auburn precinct, by placing together the fractional jiart.s of three townships: Townships 15-2 ; 15-3; 16-2 W. It is in triangular form, nine miles long by seven wide at its widest point, rendered fractional by the meanderings of the Sangamon river. It embraces an area of 44 square miles. At the first election held under township organization, April 3d, 1866, John M. Hill was chosen its first sujiervisor ; Asa Montgomery and Charles Cole, justices of the peace.

The cholera prevailed alarmingly at Mt. Auburn in 1852. Forty victims were carried off by this dreadful scourge. Among them was the wife of Esquire Knight, and daughter of the old pioneer, Mylo Skinner, late of Greenwood township. Dr. Tupper, one of the old pioneer settlers of Mt. Auburn township, lost his life whilst sitting on the end of a Hour barrel ; the wagon on going off from a bridge dropped suddenly, and he was precipitated under the wheels and killed.

Old Martin Hinkle, at a very early day, sold whisky. It is related of him that he could neither read nor write, but kept his accounts on the wall. It was at that period customary for candidates to treat before elections ; some would deposit some money for that purpose, others n<it. It made no difference ; he always opened an account, with each candidate as his friends called for a drink, by having his name legibly written high upon the wall, and under this he kept a kind of tally list with chalk. As he doled out a glass he would chalk one. His ledger was large ; and you could find the name of every prominent man in the count)', whether candidate, teacher or preacher, for years afterwards on the walls. He never balanced his ledger ; the account always stood unpaid.

Earlij I'reachern. - The first sermons preached in this township were by Aaron Vandeveer and William Crow, Baptist ministers, at the house of Mr. Hancock in the year 1831.

Was laid out by John B. Augur, John Grigg, I. V. Williamson, Cyrus P. Smith, Elias B. Bishop and Augustus Mitchell. The above were the original proprietors. The location of the town is section 12; township, 15-2; T. R. Skinner, county surveyor, of Logan county, made the survev. The chain carriers were William Robius, Richard Simkins and Jackson Caywood.

The same fall he sold out to the firm of Camp, Bradish & Co. William Phillips was the pioneer blacksmith in 1840. The first resident physician was Dr. J. Hughes. In February, 1857, two tiers of blocks were vacated on the north and south, and one tier of blocks on the east and west side.

The first buildings erected were by the founders of the town in 1839 ; store-house, dwelling-house and hotel ; the hotel was a brick building 2^ stories high. It was never completed and was taken down in the year 1876.

Thomas Marr kept hotel here in 1840 and 1841 ; the next two years the building was occupied as a residence, by Warner and Gates, who operated the first mill here in 184"2, as before stated ; the mill was afterwards sold and moved to Beardstown.

The first sermon preached in the village, was by Rev. Dresser, now a resident of .Springfield. The post-office was established iu 1839, and John B. Augur was the first post-master.

Fresent Busine<<s Houses. - General dry-goods store, by Richard Kimball ; groceries and drugs, by Dial Davis & Son ; groceries and drugs, by H. D. Parker. Jlr. Parker is also post-master.

Phydcians - Henry Bloxam, J. H. Lawrence, A. Conel, J. B. Matthew, O. C. Reynolds. In 1860 the M. E. church was built; it is quite a comfortable house 34x40 feet. In 1869 the Christian church was erected ; it is 36x48 feet in size. The present schoolhouse was built in 1861. There are also two saloons in the place.

Believing that it would be of interest to our readers, we subjoin the changes in business that have taken place in Mt. Auburn. The third store was kept b}- John S. Foster ; it was a general store. He began business in 1847, and two years later sold out to Henry Davis, who carried on the business about one year. He sold the establishment to P. N. Hooper, and V. D. Emert. About three months after Hooper sold his interest to his partner, and Emert continued by himself only about three months and then quit business. In 1851 P. B. Night & Co. started a general dry goods and grocery store ; two years after sold out to John S. Foster, and in 1854 Mr. Foster sold to M. Stafford & Co. ; they continued the business until 1857, when they were succeeded by C. E. Bosworth, who continued until 1859. In 1854 P. B. Night opened a dry-goods and grocery store, and in 1856 sold to John Cole, who turned the stock into clothing, and abuut six months afterward consolidated his stock with C. E. Bosworth.

John B. Zaring built a store-house in the fall of 1857, and starte<l a general store, and continued in business until some time in 1858 ; then sold to Robert H. Fowkes, who continued about six months. The store afterward occupied by D. Davis & Son was built by M. P. Goodrich, in the year 18.56, who carried on a general dry-goods business until 1859, when he sold to B. R. Parrish, who continued in business until 1860. Benjamin Ellis started a general store in 1862, and continued until 1867. On March 26, 1859, 51. Stafford opened a store and continued in business until Feb. 19th, 1866, when he sold out to John Jones, who continued until April, 1867.

M. Staflford began business again in March, 1869, and continued until the first of January, 1873, when he sold to R. Kimball, who carried on the business until the spring of 1878, since which time Mr Kimball has conducted the business for J. R. Race, of Decatur. Davis and White opened a drug and grocery store in November, 1872, and were burned out February 14th, 1873. During the years 1871-72 Dr. Lawrence carried on a drug store From '68 to '70 Messrs. Cook and Thompson carried on a general dry-goods store. On the 6th of November, 1873, Davis and Bloxam started a drug and grocery store. On the 1st of January, 1875, Bloxam retired from business, and in March, 1877, Davis sold out to Dr. J. B. Matthew, who occupied it until July, 1878, since which time the store has been carried on by D. Davis it Sou. In 1863 Dr Conel opened a drug store and continued in business until 1S76, at which time he sold out to H. D. Parker.

Gkove City

The village of Grove City is situated on section 34, township 15, range 2. It is located in the midst of a rich agricultural district, and among an enterprising and thrifty class of people. It is about ten miles and a half due north of Taylorville.

The first house was erected by E. N. Hogland in 1858; it was a frame building. F. H. Henshie opened and kept the first store. The first Blacksmith shop was built and operated by A. Henshie. The first sermon was preached by Rev. B. F. Hungerford, in the year 1865. The first school was taught, in 1876, by Sylvester Patterson. The first physician was Dr. H. J. Grismer, who located here in 1864. A post-office was established here in 1862, F. H. Henshie post-master. The present school-house was erected in 1876. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1866.

Present Business Houses

Grore City Lodge, Xo. 275, /. 0. 0. F., was instituted May 3, 1872. The charter members were John Cole, Eli Porter, John C. Paxton, Henry Kirk, J. M. Milligan, Wm. E. Fetters, J. H. Lawrance, Henry Bloxam, J. W^. Johnson.

Fisher Lodge, JVb. 585, A. F. <1- A- M. Dispensation granted Nov. 15, 1867. The charter members were R. A. Hazlett, A. D. Bond. John Hazlett, J. A. Short, Eli Porter, J. G. Porter, L Smith J. W. Davidson, Wm. Daigh.

Bolivia Post Office

Is situated on section 18, Tp. 15, range 2. The route was established on March 4th, 1878, and the first mail was received December 13, 1879. F. Prickett is postmaster, and W. T. Baker deputy P. M.

Among the lu-omiuent <Ai\ citizens uf Christian county, may be mentioned tlio name that heads this sketch, lie was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, June 29th, 1828. His father, James Baker, emigrated to Illinois when the subject of our sketch was a babe. He was also a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and was the tenth white child born in that county. His father, Isaac Baker, was a native of Maryland, and participated in the Revolutionary war. He was of German descent, and emigrated from ^Maryland to Kentucky soon after the close of the above war. He there married Miss I'eggy Waddle They raised a family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. In 1828 he emigrated to Illinois with his family and settlccl in Sangamon county. Six of his sons were married and had families. He and four of his sons settled in the above named county in 1828, where he lived until his death, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife preceded him about six years, at the age of eighty-six. Her death was the first in the family after their marriage, and at this time her youngest child was fifty-four years of age. At the time of Isaac Baker's death, he had one hundred and sixty-three children, grand-children and greatgrand-childreu. He fidlowed the life of a farmer, and lived a quiet and unostentatious life ; made himself a good, comfortable home, and lived a much respected citizen. His son James settled in what is now Christian county, before it was organized, and when it was cut oft" from .^angamon the division made him a citizen of Christian county. He was married in Kentucky, before coming to Illinois, to a Miss Nancy Squires. They had seven children born to them in Kentuck)-, and two in Illinois. For a number of years James Baker served as constable, while under the jurisdiction of Sangamon. At the first election held in Christian county, he was elected justice of the peace, an office he held for eight years. He built a water mill on the North Fork of the Sangamon river in 1835. It was a saw and grist mill, familiarly known as "Baker's Mill."

was one of the foremost exhibitors of stock at the county fairs. He was au old line whig, and usually took an active part in the elections. He was an energetic and industrious farmer, and did everything in his power to further the development of his county. He died on the place he improved, at the age of eighty-two, on the 14th of February, 1S69. His wife's death occurred three years afterward, at the same age. W. F. Baker was here brought up. He assisted his father on the farm and at the mill during his minority. At the age of twenty-.six he went to California overland, and returned the same way, after four years. While iu California he carried on a hotel and livery stable. He returned to Illinois, and after two years he was united in marriage to Miss .'^arah E. Green. She was a native of Ohio. They have a family of four children, two bo^-s and two girls, viz. : John 8., Fannie Winneford, Lillie Ann and Henry Turley. Aftir ISlr. Bakers marriage, he began farming and stock-raising in Mt. Auburn township, where he now resides. He has also been engaged in shipping stock nearly twenty years. He takes quite an interest in the agricultural society of the county, as his father did before him, and for seventeen years he has been represented in the stock ring as a prominent exhibitor. At one time he had twenty-one head of stock on exhibition and carried away twenty-three premiums. He takes a pride in fine horses, and knows one when he sees it. During his younger days, when the country was new and game plenty, he took delight in hunting. He would often kill four or five deer in one day with his rifle, and on one occasion he killed twenty deer in a single day, under the following circumstances: There came a heavy rain upon a snow, and it froze, making the whole country a sheet of ice, and, upon horse-back, with a hickory club in hand, it was no trouble to slay the deer, which were wholly at the hunters' mercy.

When Mr. Baker started out in life, he was unaided. All he possessed were two willing hands and a good constitution. He has made all he owns by industrious toil and fair dealing. He is now Notary Public. Politically he is a firm and uncompromising re publican. He voted that ticket in North Fork precinct, when it comprised the northern part of the county, and polled seven hundred and forty-four votes, seven hundred and forty democrats and four republicans. The other three republicans were his father, George Housley and W^. Y. Crosthwait. Such is the outline of an industrious and practical farmer of Christian county.

Was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., March 17, 18o]. He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Ann Bloxam. Henry Bloxam was a native Englishman, and emigrated to America in about 1825. He was a man of fine education and good business qualifications. Upon his landing in America, he immediately found employment in the old established book firm of Grigg & Elliott; for fourteen years he was their book-keeper, and had charge of the entire business. He then met and married his wife, Elizabeth Ann Horwath, October 7, 1828; she was a native of New Jersc}'. Mr. Bloxara there raised his fiimily of five children, the doctor being the second, and now the only surviving member of the family. His father, as above stated, had a good position in Philadelphia, and saved money, and, being desirous to invest it in some paying business, came west in 1839, and started a general store in Mt. Auburn, under the name of Camp, Braddish & Co. He then returned to Philadelphia. Camp and Braddish were to carry on the business, and receive part of the profits. After two years Mr. Bloxam found it was not a paying investment, and from reports that the firm was not in a good condition, financially, he so informed his employees, and told them also, that he wiiuld be comjielled to resign his position, to look after his affairs in the west, and that he intended to make the west his future home. Mr. Bloxam had been a good and faithful man to them and as much as they disliked to part with him, they told him that if it was his desire to go west, they wished him well, and further, in token of their friendship, they presented him a deed for six hundred and forty acres of land, in one body, lying iu what is now Buckhart township. So in 1841, he came to Mt. Auburn the second time, and brought out his family. His expectations were fully realized. When he arrived at Ml. Auburn he soon found that he had been victimized to the amount of two thousand dollars. He closed out the entire business, and turned over the entire stock of goods on hand, to the creditors of the firm. He then began the life of a farmer, an entirely new business to him. The land that had been presented to him, lay at the head of Buckhart Grove. He improved part of this section, and for many years it was known as the Bloxam farm. Mr. Bloxam lived upon this place until his death, which occurred August 18, 1844. He was a man of the most straightforward rectitude in business, and his honesty was never doubted. His wife survived him ten years. She died in Springfield, August 6, 1854. The subject of our sketch began the study of medicine with Dr. Leeds, of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, iu the fall of 184G. He studied under the doctor for five years, and then began the practice in Mt Auburn, and for nearly thirty years he has attended the sick, with success, iu that vicinit}-. In 1857 he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar, in 1862. Since his residence in Mt. Auburn, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, for about eighteen years, and was acting deputy sheriff for some time, under Sherifi' Goodrich. February V2, 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen T. Parrish, a resident of I\It. Auburn, 'i hey have a family of five children, viz; Lucy E., now the wile of Cieorge E. Thaxton, living near Mt. Auburn, William G, Edwin G, Arthur iNIcLean, and Charles J. In politics the doctor is a democrat. He represented his township iu the Board of Supervisors, for one term ; and during his professional connection with the people of Christian county, he has won confidence, as well for his good qualities as a citizen and an enterprising member of the community, as for his services and attainments as a physician.

J. B. MATTHEW, M D., A PROMIKENT physician of Christian county, was born near where Palmer now stands, Blarcli 2, 1850. He was the son of Oscar F. and Margaret Matthew. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Indiana. Simon Matthew, the grandfather of J. B. Matthew, emigrated with his family to Sangamon county, Ills, as early as 1833, where he improved a farm in what is now (^otton Hill township, and lived there until his death. He was known as a careful and industrious farmer, a i)lain and unassuming man and a good citizen. Oscar Matthew was about twelve years of age when his father moved into Sangamon county. He grew to manhood in this county, and there met Margaret Britton, who afterward became his wife, in 1845. They lived in Sangamon county until December 5, 1849, when they moved to Christian county, and settled near where Palmer is, where he improved a farm and lived several years, subsequently moving back to Cotton Hill township, Sangamon county, Ills., where he now lives. His life occupation has been that of a farmer and stock-raiser. He raised a family of six children, of whom the doctor is the second. His elder brother, the Rev. W. S. Matthew, is a prominent minister in the city of

The doctor \va- rai-nl i>\\ a lanii, and atleniliMl tho coinmnii sclumls of the ii.'i-hhnrhood, whcr.liy lie ror.^ivc.l u lair ediii-atioii. At the a"-e of eiijlilceii, he wa- iniitrd in marriage to Miss Amanda E. Lawley, daughter of William 1!. l.awlev, an old resident of Sangamon county. They have one child, Charles E. The doctor, after hi.-; marriage, returned to ( 'hri-ti-m enunty, near J[ai)lc Grove, where lie followed fanning for two years. Although raised on a fiirm, lie never liked the business, and thinking he was better intended for some professional business, he moveil to Taylorville and began the study of medieine under Drs. J. II. and L II. Claik, two prominent i)raetitiiMicrs of tliat ]daee. He renuiined with them about three years, after which he atten(Ud the American Medical Cidleg.' of' .'-It. Louis, where he gra.luate.l Jlay 12, 187'). lie immediately br-ui the praelic.' ol' his chosm professhui in the village of .Mt. Auluirn, and has so coulinu.'d up to the present time with agreeable success. I'or a time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Mt. Auhiirn, but his a<lventure proved unsuccessful. His intention in the future is t:i give liis entire attention to his i)rofession. In politics he is a republican. He is a gentleman, po])ular for his genial (jualities, and has an excellent standing ius a ])hvsieian, and is, as yet a young man full of vigor. He will undoubtedly add greater laurels to his reputation.

P. Cooper

Was the son of John and Susannah Cooper ; he was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, June 21), 1826. John Coipsr was a native of South Carolina ; his fathers name was also John, and he was a native of the Caridinas Jlr. Cooper's ancestry have lived in America for tevcral generations. John Cooper, the grandfather of the subject of our sketch, was born in South Carolina, in 1772. He was married there, and seven of his children were born in that state. He moved with his family to Jeti'ersou county, Tennessee, in 1820. Some of his clilldren continued their western march in the same year, and settled in Sangaujon county, Illinois. He lived in Tennessee two years, and then with the remaining members of his family came to Sangamon county, and settled in what is now Cooper township. John Cooper, the lather of the subject of our sketch, was born June 3, 1794, and was taken by his parents to Tennes.see, where he was nuirried to Susannah Peyton. By this union they had one child when Mrs. Cooper died. Jlr. Cooper was again married to Miss Susannah (iigir. They had two children born to them in Tennessee ami moved to Sangamon county, as stat<'d above in 18l'((, and settled near where Roidicslcr now stands, ami one viar later moved to wh.-il is now Cooper township. They had nine children born to them in Sangamon county, of whom the subject ol'our sketch was the fifth. John Cooper ibr several years was a ne inbcr of the Sangamon county Board, and filled the office of Jn.stice of the Peace for a number of years. He was a mendjer of the Methodist church, and local minister ; he devoted a great part of his declining years in preaching the Gospel. He .-olcmnizcil tlic niari'iages of many couples among the early .settlers, and when the township organization was effected, his name was given to the township in which lu' livcil, as a mark of respect to bis memory. He lived the life of a good and wortliv citizen, and died January, ISCO, in the full hope of a bdt.r land. Mr. P. Co(jper has descended from a long line of tarnjcrs, and was edueateil to that avocation. He rcccivcil a common schocd education such as the schocds of hisday ali;.rdc,l. He married Miss Elizabeth Firey November 10, 1848. She was a native of Washington countv, Maryland, and was a daughter of Jacob Firey, who was a resident farmer of Christian county. They have been blessed with a familv of fair children, John H, Jacob P., Mary E. now the wife of A. Smith, a resident of Mt. Auburn township and Laura 15. Ilis sons and his youngar daughter are still beneath the parental roof After Mr. Cooper's marriage he left his native county and settled in Mt. Auburn township. Christian county, where he now resides. Mr. Cooper has a fine farm of three hundred and fiflythree acres, and one of the finest farm residences in the couuty, a view of wdiich can be seen in another part of this work. In politics he is a democrat ; religiously he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is quiet and unassuming in his manners, charitable where there exists any just cause, and dispenses a liberal hosi)italitv with the case and grace of the (dden time.

Was born in Ti-igg county, Ky., March 22d, 182G. His father, Samuel T. CroSthwait, w.ag a native of Maury county, Tennessee, and of Irish descent. He here grew to manhood upon a form. He attended the schools of Columbia, whereby he received a good education ; at the age of seventeen he began teaching school, a profession he principally followed during his entire life. At the age of twenty-one or twenty-two, he went into Kentuck}', where he married Miss Mary Young, July 7th, 1824 ; they raised a family of sis children. In 1S,'32 he emigrated to Illinois with his family, and Settled within about one mile of the South Fork of Sangamon river, and about the same distance from where the town of Taylorville now stands. He here opened up an improvement, and during the winter months taught school until February 24th, 18.3o, when he was frozen to death under the following circumstances. During the inclement season, he took an on team out to gather such necessaries as were awarded him for teaching, it being customary in those days for the citizens to pay the school-master iu such articles as meal, pork, flour, or any other commodity which could be utilized in the teacher's family ; night came on before he could reach home ; becoming bewildered in the darkness, he lost his way, and in the morning, was found frozen to death upon the prairie.

The subject of our sketch was then but nine 3'ears old, and being the eldest son, he remained with his mother until he became of age ; much of the cares and responsibilities of raising crops and providing for the family devolved upon him. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Murphy, January 5th, 1848, who died about one year afterwards, January 28, 1849. Mr. Crosthwait again married, his second choice being Ellen M. Benson, to whom he was united October 1st, 1850. By this marriage he has a family of five children, four boys and one girl. Mr. C. was educated to farm life, and has made that his principal avocation ; for four years he was iu the mercantile business, and carried on a general store iu Grove City, this county. In 18G2he enlisted iu the late war into Company D. 130th Illinois Volunteers, under Captain Daniel De Camp, Col. Niles having command of the regiment until the close of the war. In politics, Mr. Crosthwait is a republican, and in 1878 was nominated by his party to represent the thirtyfourth di-strict in the legislature, aud was elected. He luade a good and faitliful member in the house. He worked hard and talked but little, which, perhaps, is the best eulogy which can be pronounced upon a judicious and commendable law-maker. Mr. and Mrs. Crosthwait are members of the JM. E. Church, and have educated their family in that faith. His children are Henry C, Mary L., Lyman L., George A. and William E.

The geutlemaii whose portrait is at the liead of tliis Jiage, iu stature stands six feet, aud in avoirdupois turns the beam at three hundred aud twenty-five pounds. In disposition he is mirthful, genial and sociable, and possesses those qualities tliat render his company pleasant and agreeable. He was born in .Sangamon county, Illinois, within a short distance of the Ciiristian county line, January 26, 1835. He was the son of John and Anna North. John North was a native of Virginia, born November 22, 1806, near the village of Bent Creek, on James river, in Buckingham county. His grandfather, Richard North, was born in England, and followed the business of a cutler. He came to America and worked at his trade at Bent Creek. His wife's maiden name was Thornton, but whether they were married in England or America is unknown to their descendants. Their third sou Peter, born iu Virginia, was married th^ to Elizabeth Franklin, daughter of Robert Franklin, of Campbell county, Virginia. Peter North was a soldier from Virginia in the war with England in 1812. In 1819 or '20, he emigrated to Jeflerson county, near Dandridge, Tennessee, taking with him six children. The second son, John, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, was then married, September 22, 1828, to Miss Anna Giger, who was a native of that county. Immediately after Mr. North's marriage, he emigrated with his young wife to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving April 12, 1829. They settled in what is now Cooper township, in the part lying north of the North Fork of the Sangamon river, where they raised a family of four boys, viz: Benjamin Hou-ston, Harvey N., John W. and Andrew J. now deceased. Mr. North lost his wife, Annie North, Feb. 24, 1844. He was again married to Susannah

Eckel, hy whom he had six children, all deceased. Mrs. North died in 185.5, and Mr. North married Mrs. Amelia Woodrurt' in 1856. There have been three children born by this union, all of whom are now living. Jlr. North resides on the farm he first improved in 1829, three miles north of Mechanicsburg.

Harvey N. North was there brought up and educated to farm life ; a business he has since followed. It was there he first met !Miss Sarah E. Prather, who afterwards became his wife. They were married November 13, 1856. She was a daughter of Perry and Sarah YZ. Prather, and born iu Maryland. Her ancestry were early settlers of that state, and of Gierman descent. Mrs. North's father emigrated to Sangamon county about thirty years ago, and settled in Cooper township, where he died. His wife still survives him. Mr. aud Mrs. North have raised a family of four boys, viz: Tony, Emer}-, Clyde and Peter. They are all living at home. After !Mr. North's marriage, he settled in Christian county, where he has since resided.

In politics, he is a democrat. He is not a member of any religious denomination, Init has always endeavored to live an upright and honorable life. He is a member of the Masonic order. He has shared the hardships aud privations incident to the settlement of a new country. His hair and whiskers are tinged with gray, but he bears remarkably well the burden of forty-five years. Now, in the prime of life, he maj' enjoy the teeming bounties of a prosperous county, young iu years but old in improvements in agriculture and in commercial importance. He is much esteemed in the community where he lives, and is destined to enjoy man_v years of honorable usefulness and reasonable prosjjerity.

Dial Davis

Has livcil witliiii (iftfcii miles .if Mt. Auhurn, wIktc he now lives, for fifty-four years, making him one of the oldest eitizens of Mt. Auburn townshiii. He wiis horn near Mechanicsburg, Sangamon eounty, January lOtli, 1«'26. His father, John Davis, was a native of Tenne.ssee, and lived near Nashville, in that state. He there married Miss Sarah I). Milligan ; they had two eliildren born to them in Tennessee, one now living. Henry Davis, who by industry and eeonomy, has acquired (juite a fortune, is well known to the citizens of Christian county. John Davis emigrated to Illinois in the year 1818 ; he first came to Springfield, where he stopped about a year, and then settled ea.st of Springfield, near ( 'lear Lake, where he remained about two years, and subsequently moved south of Mechanicsburg, where he lived five years. They were living at this place during the deep snow. In 1832 they moved south of the Sangamon river, and settled three aud-a-half miles west of the mound where Mt. Auburn now stands. As the lands were not in the mar ket, he could not enter land ; for a small consideration he purchased the improvements of a "squatter," which consisted of a log house and a garden-patch ; this was the first place he could call his own in Illinois ; his intention was to enter the laud as soon as the country began to settle up, but like many other early settlors in Illinois, he wa.s "Entered out" by a heartless speculator, and was compelled to locate in another track near by. Mr. and Mrs Davis had four children born to them in Sangamon county, viz. : John deceased, William, Dial and Sarah, now the wife of M. V. Swick' and a resident of Mt. Auburn ; William is now a farmer in Mt. Auburn township. John Davis lived in Mt. Auburn township in the vicinity where he first settled and resided until his death in 1841 ; his wife preceded him about three years. The subject of our sketch grew to manhood in this then thinly-settled country on a farm, and received such an education as the early times afforded. At the age of twenty he enlisted in the war with Mexico ; he was iu Company C, under Captain I. C. Pugh, Col. E. D. Baker, having command of the regiment 4th Ills. vols. Dick Oglesby was the first Lieutenant of Company C, and commanded the company at the battle of Cerro Gordo. Mr. Davis was within twenty yards of General James Shields, when he was shot through and through, in the charge at this battle. Mr. Davis heard Oglesby remark, after this battle, that he would rather lead that company in such a battle than be governor of Illinois. Mr. Davis was in .this war just one year ; he was discharged and mustered out of service in New Orleans, and then returned to his old associates in Christian county. The land warrant he received for his services iu the Mexican war he traded for eighty acres of land, lying in the west part of Mt. Auburn township, and immediately began the improvement of this eighty> and from 1848 to 18-52, he lived alone and "batched" it. And then, like all sensible young men, he concluded that single ble.ssed" ness was no longer desirable, and consequently, Feb. 4, 1852, took unto himself a better-half, in the person of Miss Edraonia E. Hesser, a daughter of Samuel Hesser, one of the pioneer settlers of Sangamon eounty. They raised a family of six children, viz. : Franklin P., Sallie M., Charles E., Henry N., Dial W., and Carrie E., now the wife of William L. Kasar. Franklin, Henry and Dial, are now deceased. The other two children live in Mt. Auburn. Mrs. Davis died July 4th, 1864. Mr. Davis was again married to Huldah J. Stobaugh, May 5th, 1867. They have one child, Nellie M. Mr. Davis' life occupation has been that of a farmer and stock raiser and for several years he shipped stock extensively. In 1874 he started his son Franklin in the drug and grocery business iu Mt. Auburn ; he sold out in 1877 and went to the Black Hills, where he took the mountain fever and died, August 21st, 1877. Mr. Davis liought the store and stock of goods the second time under a bankrupt sale, and his son Henry ran the business until his death, March 7th, 1880, and Mr. Davis and his son Charles are now carrying on the business. In Mr. Davis' younger days he rode constable for several years, and was the first collector in the township; was a member of the County Board when the county was divided into townships. In politics, he is a stanch democrat. And thus we close the record of one of the industrious and successful citizens of Christian county, who is now the largest land-holder iu Mt. Auburn township. His financial prosperity is more the result of integrity and industry than a worldly love of gain. What he has is the result of hard labor. As a self-made man, his name is presented to the youth of Christian county, as an example of what industry will do for an energetic boy if he starts out in the pathway of life with a deterniination to succeed.

Who died at Mt. Auburn, October 5th, 1876, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, April, 1810. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Milligan, January 14th, 1845. They had born to them a family of five children, viz.: Oren W., now deceased; Marietta, now the wife of John V. Koogle ; Martha A., James A., and Hattie Maria ; the three latter are living at home with their mother. Mrs. Goodrich lives on the old Goodrich homestead, and carries on the farm. She is a native of Christian county. Her parents, Forgus and Sarah Milligan, emigrated from Tennessee, and settled in what is now Christian county in an early day, long before the county was organized. The following we clip from M. P. Goodrich's obituary: "M.P.Goodrich came to Springfield, Illinois, in 1838, and to Mt. Auburn in 1840, where he has ever since resided. He lived at Mt. Auburn more than a third of a century. He came to that place the next year after the organization of the county, and was identified with every public measure by which the county was changed from a wilderness to a densely populated county. He was a pioneer in the full sense of the tenn. Time and again he went from j\It. Auburn to Taylorville, when there was but one solitary house between those two towns, and that was at or near the place where Grove city now stands. He was a representative man of his time. He was elected County Surveyor in 1847, and afterward a member of the County court. To his energy, diligence, judgment and firmness the people are chiefly indebted for their escape from a bonded debt for the court-house, which was built under his administration. He held the commission of Justice of the peace for a long period of time, and also that of Post-master, at Mt. Auburn. No man ever found fault with the discharge of his public duties. His integrity was never suspected. No man ever had the confidence of the people of the county more than M. P. Goodrich. In the more active years of his life his friends frequently desired to bring him forward as a candidate for important county offices, to which he could have been elected. But as his brother, William A. Goodrich, was continued from one important county office to another, for more than thirty-three years the generous nature of Montgomery P. ever declined the solicitation of his friends lest it should appear that the family were grasping. He was active and energetic. He disregarded any personal consideration, and drove through heat, cold and storm when occasion required. It is but too true this disregard of cold and storm, and of hunger and sleep, wore upon his constitution, and but for this he might have lived many vears. He did not always control his temper, but sometimes would strike a blow before his judgment could be brought to bear upon the subject. This was his greatest fault, and the only thing that ever brought him an enemy. He was for a long time a leading mercliaut at Mt. Auburn, and at the same time carried on extensive farming. He was a kind, hospitable man, a warm-hearted and generous friend, a kind husband, and indulgent father, and by his death Christian county lost a worthy citizen.

I. Q. VIRDEN Was born in Ross county, Ohio, October 25, 1824. He is of German ancestry on the paternal side and English on the maternal. His father, Isaac Virden, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio in an early day, where he was married to !Miss Amelia Sadler. They had eleven children born to them in ( )hio, ten bovs and one daughter, of whom the subject of our sketch was the eighth > his father was a farmer, and in 1832, being desirous to go to a country where laud was cheaper, as he had a large family of boys, emigrated to Illinois and settled onBuckhart Creek, four miles west of the now village of Grove city ; he here improved a farm, and died on this place March, 1846. At the time Mr. Virden settled on the Buckhart, that part of the country was a howling wilderness. They were compelled to pen the sheep and pigs near the house to save them from the wolves ; they had to go sixteen miles to mill, and do their own grinding by putting a yoke of oxen on the wheel, and often in the time of bad roads they obtained their meal by the " hominy block." Mr. Virden remained at home until he was twenty-one ; he then married !Miss Rachel Xester, from Bath county, Kentuck}', and began life for himself; for four years he rented and then bought the place he is now living on near Mt. Auburn ; he settled on this place in 1851, and took it from nature's domain. His was a beautiful location, overlooking thousands of acres of fine farming lands now dotted with houses, and which within Jlr. Virden's recollection was one vast plain covered with the tall prairie grass. His first purchase was one hundred acres, and by adding piece after piece, his farm consists of six hundred acres ; he shipped at one time a great deal of stock, but reverses came upon him, bad crops, the loss of stock ami worse than all the payment of security debts. All coming in upon him at the same time was more than he could withstand, and the consequences were that he lost his farm and the most of his pei-sonal property ; but he is yet in the prime of life, full of energy and vigor, and he hopes at no distant day to recover a part at least of his original farm. Mr. Virden met with these reverses, and it was not within his power to resist them. He has always endeavored to deal with his fellow-men honestly in all his business transactions. Mr. and Mrs. Virden have a family of six children ; five daughters and one .son ; his daughters are all married and live within a few hours drive of the old homestead ; his son, William E., is still living at home. In politics Mr. Virden is a republican. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he has endeavored to bring up his children in the tenets of that church. For a number of years he has been a member of the Masonic order ; he is also an Odd Fellow.

Isaac H. Firey

ISAAC H. FIREY Was born in Wa-slungton county, Maryland, February 2, 1820. He was the son of Jacub and Mary Firey. Jacob Firey was also a native of Washington county, Maryland, as was his wife, Slary Houser. His ancestry on both sides are of German origin. Jacob Firey raised a family of four children. He emigrated with his family to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1836. Arriving in the fall he settled in what is now Cooper township, where he remained about five years. He then moved into Christian county, and settled in Mt. Auburn township, where he purchased land and improved a farm. The subject of our sketch now lives on the old homestead. Jacob Firey lived on this place until his death, May 18, 1853, aged sixty-two years. He lived a member of the Lutheran church, and po.sse.ssed rare qualities, and by his upright and manly life, won an honorable name and endeared himself to a large circle of friends. His wife preceded him about sixteen j-ears. Her death dates June y, 1837. Isaac H. Firey a.ssisted (in his father's farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then married Mi-ss Eliza Sattley, a resident of Rochester, Sangamon county, Illinois, and daughter of Archibald and Harriet Sattley. Archibald Sattley was a soldier in the war of 1812. He afterwards married his officer's daughter, Harriet Hawley, and .subsequently emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon county, in 1819.

Mr. Firey has always followed farming. He has raised a family of seven children, all nnw grown: Jacob J., now jiracticing medicine in Taylorville, Hattie E., now the wife of Ross M. Houck, Albert M., married and lives at home, William H., Susan E., Isaac E. and Mary E., all yet beneath the parental roof Mr. Firev had the misfortune to lose his wife, Feb. 2, 1880. She was a member of the Lutheran church, and took quite an active interest in the church, and did all in her power to further the interests of the Sabbath-school. Mr. Firey is also a member of the same church. In politics he is a democrat. He is a prominent farmer of Mt. Auburn township, and by industry has acquired a competency to make easy his declining years.