Seminary Township

Seminary Township

Sjj||j3£ EMIN ARY TOWNSHIP is situated in the south-western part of the oounty, and is composed of the fractional parts of the jrQftJP congressional township 4 N. Range 1 west, and township 5 N.

Range 1 west, and township 5 N. Range 1 east, of Third Prin¬ cipal Meridian, and has the Kaskaskia River for its eastern and southern boundary, on the west by Bond County, and north by Bear Grove and Vandalia Townships. The township took its neme, from the fact that it was set apart by the General Government, for school purposes, henoe was denominated Seminary lands: the Hurricane Creek enters it on the north and runs a south-easterly direction through the township, and empties into the Kaskaskia, in township 4, range 1 west. There are a number of small and beautiful lakes in the township. The lands are productive, and well adapted to the growth of wheat, corn, oats, grass, etc., and fruits of all kinds. The lands are well improved, and the farmers are an enterprising, industrious and thrifty class of citizens. Good morals prevail, and churches and schools are liberally supported in the township.

The first school-house was built about one mile east of John Thompson's. It was a log structure, with all the primitive characteristics of those early days; it was erected in the year 1885, and was also used fbr church pur¬ poses.

County Skat

Prior to the organisation of Fayette County, when it formed a part of Bond County, the county seat of the then (Bond County), was located at a place called Perryville, on the west side of the Kaskaskia, in township 4 N Range 1 west, of the Third Principal Meridian. Here was erected a log court-house and jail. Many of the old settlers of the county remember distinctly, the appearance of the old buildings, which were low and con¬ structed of logs. Subsequently the county seat was moved to Greenville, and Perryville became obsolete.

The religious denominations are, the United Baptists, Christians and Methodists. The first church built exclusively for church purposes was by the Baptists about the year 1868.

Improved Stock . - The honor of bringing the first improved stock to the township belongs to Jobn Thompson. They were short-horned cattle: Leicester and Cotswold sheep. The introduction of these improved animals has had a very beneficial effect on the improvement of the stock of the township.

The population of this township is composed principally of citizens whose ancestors were originally from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and the Caro¬ lines. The village of Hullsville is situated in this township.

Biogkaphical Sketches

The present Sheriff of Fayette County, was born near where he now resides, April 24th, 1832, and is the fifth child of Andrew and Charlotte (Matheney) Taylor. His parents emigrated to Illinois from Kentucky, though the families were natives of Tennessee. They were among the early pioneers of Fayette County, in which they settled in 1831, in Seminary Township, where Mr. Taylor immediately began fanning, which occupation he con¬ tinued at until his death, which occurred December 12th, 1859, having sur¬ vived his wife only a few years, who died June 18th, 1857. Both died at the old homestead, and are buried at the family burial-ground near by. They were thrifty and industrious people, and most excellent friends and neighbors. Their son, Andrew Jackson, the subject of this history, was en¬ gaged during his youth working on his father's farm. Whenever opportu¬ nity afforded, which was seldom, he attended school. He succeeded, however, in acquiring a fair education. When twenty-two years old he made his first venture in business for himself, and has continued uninterruptedly and profit¬ ably in the same course since. October 25th, 1853, he married Miss Lucinda Cook, who was born in this State, of which her parents were among the early settlers. In 1874 Mr. Taylor accepted the appointment of Deputy Sheriff, and moved to Vandalia, but still continued to conduct operations on his farm. In 1877 he received the nomination by the Democracy, of which he had been a life-long and active member, for Sheriff of his native county. He was elected, and now fills the position with marked ability and credit.

He is a man that stands well in the county, and whatever he has accom¬ plished in life is mainly owing to his early training by his parents, to habits of eoonomy and industry, and his subsequent observance of their teaching. Still in the prime of life, with a good record and plenty of energy, he bids fair to attain to any position to which he may aspire.

Hon. John Thompson

Mr. Thompson is of English nativity, and was born in Yorkshire, Angnst 19,1826. His parents, Richard and Mary (Ryder) Thompson, emigrated to this country and settled in Ohio about 1843. Mrs. Thompson died in 1844. Her husband survived her a number of years, and died in 1872. After a short stay in Ohio they came to Illinois, and located in Seminary Township in this county. Until seventeen years old their son enjoyed good opportunities, attending some of the best schools in his native country. These early advantages have been of the greatest practical benefit to him, as after that he was unable to devote much of his time to literary or scholastio pursuits. Upon his arrival in this country he engaged in trading, occa¬ sionally turning his attention to forming. He was thus constantly engaged until 1849, when, catching the then prevalent gold fever, he started far the Pacific Coast in charge of an ox-team. The dangers encountered and priva¬ tions endured in the journey in those days seem hardly credible to the pre¬ sent generation, who cdh make the trip in such a short time, and with all the comfort of modern conveyances. In 1858 he went to Oregon, when he, shortly after his arrival, married Miss Mary Ann Schwarts, and, together with his wife, returned to California, where Mr. Thompson had previously established himself as a fanner.

In 1855 he disposed of his interest in California, and returned to Fayette County, where he resumed his old business of forming and trading.

Mrs. Thompson, after a short and severe illness, died in October, 1875. November, 1876, he married Mia. Nannie Pratt, sister of Mxe. George Henninger. Her parents were natives of Indiana, she being born in Ohio. They have had by that union one ohild, John R. For a number of yean Mr. Thompson has been closely identified with politics in his county. Prior to the organisation of the Democratic party he was a Whig; but upon the dis¬ solution of that party he transferred his allegiance to the former; and pro¬ bably no man in the community wields greater power in its councils than does fie. He has been repeatedly called upon to be the standard-bearer of the Democracy, and has always proven himself a signally successful one. He was the first Supervisor elected from his township, and has several times been re-elected to the same position.

In 1876 he was compelled by the Democracy of his district to accept the nomination for the State Senate, and, notwithstanding the feet that there were candidates in the field - one Republican (whom all men unite in saying was a most worthy opponent) and two Democratic - such was Mr. Thomp¬ son's popularity, and such was his hold upon the sympathies and respect of the people, that he was elected by a good majority. While an alien by birth, Mr. Thompson's entire sympathies and affections are with his adopted coun¬ try. He is an American citisen by choice. He thoroughly understands the principles underlying our institutions.

As a legislator, he has proven himself worthy of the confidence of his con¬ stituency, and thoroughly competent for the position, familiarizing himself with the various and complex questions that come before that body, and always taking a decided stand upon them all. He is a man that is never known to shirk his duty, and consequently has never availed himself of the popular method now in vogue, to escape committing oneself by being absent when any measure is being voted upon that might weaken their popularity.

Mr. Thompson is also an energetic and progressive agriculturist He has done much for the advancement of his favorite pursuit He introduced the first blooded stock in his township, and has endeavored to show by preoept and example that intelligent forming pays. He has surrounded himself with the comforts and luxuries of lifo, and his home beam the evidences of taste and refinement

There is no man more popular in his county, and none mare deservingly so. In manner pleasant and affable, and always ready to help a friend in extremity, he has secured a permanent place in the esteem of the people.

Hon. John Shirley

An ex-Representarive and early settler of Fayette County, is a native of Tennessee, where he was born January 15th, 1810. His father, George Shirley, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Elizabeth (Poland) Shirley, of Virginia. His parents were married in East Tennessee, where his father died, when John was about fifteen years of age.

Shortly after her husband's death Mm. Shirley, with her young family, removed to Illinois and located on Ramsey Creek, in 1829. She subse¬ quently married Jeremiah Evans, one of the earliest settlers of the county, and removed with her husbend to Beer GsoVe Township.

Mr. Shirley's early life was passed upen a farm. His opportunities for self-improvement were very limited, and he never after his fourteenth year attended school. When twenty-one years old he engaged in farming for himself, an occupation he has followed ever since, except when public duties have engaged his attention. He married November 19th, 1844, Miss Semira Karr, a native of Kentucky. They had a family of six children, of whom three are now living - Susan M., who married Mr. John Bingaman, Martha A., and Angelina A.; the two latter now living with their father. Mrs. Shirley died September 18th, 1869. She was a consistent Christian woman, and a member of the United Baptist denomination.

Mr. Shirley has been a member of the Democratic party all his life, and frequently been elected to positious of public trust. He was appointed treasurer of the county in 1836, and assessed the county the following year. In 1838 he wa9 elected recorder, a member of the legislature in 1842, and sheriff in 1860. In 1832 he enlisted to fght Indians in the Black Hawk war. In the fall of the same year he volunteered in Capt. Duncan's com¬ pany of rangers and served nearly twelve months. He is justly regarded as one of the best citizens of the county, and one who has by his inherent ability risen from poverty and obscurity to a position of prominence and comparative affluence.