South Macon Township

South Macon Township

BS in the center of the tier of townships lying in the extreme southern part of the county. It is bounded on I the north by South Wheatland, on the east by Mt.

the west by Pleasant View and Blue Mound townships It is drained by Dry Branch, Willow Branch and Long Grove Branch. There is considerable timber to be found along the margins of these streams, particularly along Long Grove Branch. The soil is rich and productive, and in this township may be found many of the best improved farms in the county. The township comprises half of each of the two congressional townships Hand 15 N., Range 2 E.,,making a full township with thirty-six sections. The Illinois Central Railroad enters the township on the north of section 21, and runs in nearly a south-west direction through the township, passing out on the south-west corner of section 17 of T. 14 N. R. 2 E. The town of Macon, situated near the centre of the township is the second in population in the county, and where most of the trading of the farmers in the township is done.

Early Settlements

In 1835, William Morris, with his family, came from Indiana and built a cabin on section 12 of T. 14 N., R. 2 E., just north of what is now known as the Long Grove. This is a long strip of timber, probably three-fourths of a mile in width, running along the southern edge of the township. Mr. Morris was the first settler in the township, but he did not live long after he came. He died in 1836, one year after his arrival in the county. This was the first death. He was buried near the east end of Long Grove, in what afterward became the neighborhood burying-ground, and was the first place of the kind established in South Macon township.

Isaac Vise came from Kentucky in 1837 or '38, and located further south in the township than where Mr. Morris had settled. In 1840 Thomas Atterberry, familiarly known as " Big Tom " Atterberry, now living near the centre of the township, was traveling through the country and lost his way at night, and in the morning discovered he was only a short way from a house, which proved to be the one occupied by William Morris and his family.

Thomas Atterberry, commonly called "Black Tom," built a house on section 8, in T. 14 N., R. 2 E., and moved his family of eight persons from Breckinridge county, Kentucky, in the year 1845. About the same time Richard Atterberry moved from Grayson county, Kentucky, and settled on section 12, T. 14 N., R. 2 E. About 1837, two brothers, James and Hargus Stewart, also from Kentucky, settled in the south east part of the township, and in 1849 William Portwood, at present living just across the line in Shelby county, came and settled in South Macon, on section 12, T. 14 N., R. 2 E. Here it would, perhaps, not be out of place to mention that in early times there prevailed a strange superstition among the settlers of this locality. Some time between 1840 and '45, a Mrs. Stewart, residing east of Long Grove, died and wras buried in the south-eastern part of the grove. The people living in that neighborhood, or a great many of them at least, for a number of years, believed and insisted that Mrs. Stewart's ghost haunted that locality, and for a long time they could not be induced to pass that portion of the grove after nightfall for any consideration.

Isaac Davis, one of the representative men who now resides in the north part of the township came here and settled near where he lives in 1853. There was quite a settlement at an early date in the south-west corner of the township, composed chiefly of the Armstrongs and their relatives and the McHenrys, many of whom afterwards removed and still live in various parts of Shelby county. About the year 1838, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, who are previously mentioned as having come from Kentucky about 1837, had a child born to them, which was the first birth in the township.

The settlement in the south-west part of the township is credited with having had the first school-house. This was built on section 12, of T. 14 N. R. 2 E., in the year 1854. The first teacher was Bradford Stuart who came from Kentucky to Illinois at an early date. He was a native of Indiana. B. K. Durfee, now of Decatur, taught school at quite an early day in a school-house on section 8, T. 14 N., R. 2 E., about two miles south of Macon.

The first entries of Government land: On Nov. 5th, 1835, James Stewart entered 40 acres on section 13; William Norris entered 80 acres in same section Nov. 5th, 1835, and same day he entered 40 acres, also 80 acres in same section, all in T. 14 N., R. 2 East of the 3d P. M.

The following are the supervisors from this township: W. D. Hamilton, elected in 1860; L. M- Clement, elected in 1861 ; A. H. Martin, elected in 1862; W. W. Dean, elected in 1863; Frank Babcock, elected in 1864, and re-elected in 1865 ; N. Failing, elected 1866, re-elected 1867 ; Joel T. Walker, elected 1867, and re-elected each succeeding year up to 1872; N. Failing, elected 1873; W. S. Gage, elected 1874, re-elected 1875; R. H. Woodcock, elected 1876, re-elected each succeeding year, and is the present incumbent.

The Town Of Macon

This thriving little place is situated on section thirty-two ofTp. 15 N. R. 2 E., and on the line of the Illinois Central railroad, a'oout ten miles from the city of Decatur. It is in the heart of a thickly populated country, and commands the trade for many miles around. It was laid out by the Illinois Railroad Company, immediately after the completion of the road in 1854. The first building erected, was by the railroad company. It was used as a freight and passenger depot. C. H. Ruby was the first person to settle in the town. He lived in this depot from 1854 to 1860. In 1857 the company appointed J. S. Ruby, their agent at Macon, who was the first regular agent of the company at this place. Here for a number of~years, the company had their land office for the sale of lands in this portion of the county. A. G. Harris built the first residence in this town. This was in the year 1858.

Jas. Searneus, who came from Ohio, in the year 1858, was the first person to open a store in the town, for the purpose of general mercantile business. James Wells taught the first school in the town. The first school-house was erected in 1858, and was used for years for that purpose, but is now used as a dwelling. The Rev. Mr. Wallace preached the first sermon, that was delivered by any minister in the town of Macon. This was in the freight depot of the Illinois Central Railroad, in the year 1860. It was the custom for the preacher going through on the railroad to stop at Macon, and deliver a sermon in the freight house. This practice was continued uutil the erection of a church. The Methodist being the prevailing creed in this locality, in the early days of Macon city, grew in members and wealth until in 1865, they became able, and built a church, which was the first church of any denomination in Macon. The Rev. Mr. Wallace was the first preacher regularly located in the town.

The year 1860 was marked by the opening of a hotel, by C. H. Ruby, who is still engaged in the hotel business. In 1857 a postoffice was established, and the present name given it. J. S. Ruby was the first person appointed to the office of post-master. The first death was that of James Gahretty, who was employed in the construction of the freight depot, and while at work on that building, fell from the roof and received fatal injuries, from which he died- This sad event occurred in the year 1855.

The wedding of Joseph and Mrs. Louisa De Vere, was the earliest in the history of Macon. The ceremony was performed by a Reverend Father of the Catholic church, who happened to stop over at this station. The event took place in the year 1857, at the home of Mr. C. H. Ruby, who was then living in the passenger depot.

Charles Crow was the first person to establish a general blacksmithing business in the town, in the year 1857. Dr. Geo. S. Gray, a physician still practising in this place, was the first physician, who came to locate permanently in Macon. He came in I860- The town does a prosperous business, and is the third city in the county in point of population. The present business houses are: Dry Goods and Groceries. - Roscow & Hemphill, J. Frick, N. Cazalett, S. G. Washburn, W. R. Whittaker. Boots and Shoes. -

Biographical Sketches James Hopson, Esq

Mr. Hopson properly falls into that class of husbandmen whose services as a citizen and an agriculturist, render necessary honorable notice. He was born in Herkimer county, N. Y. Oct. lltli, 1819. He received a liberal education while in his native state. Hard study and the confinement to the school-room impaired his health, and he determined to spend a short time in recuperation on the sea, and he consequently spent the winter of '40 and the ensuing summer on the ocean. Mr. H. then devoted about a year in teaching and reading law. He next moved to the West and located in Macoupin county, this state, of which he remained an honored citizen till 1857, when he removed to this county, on the farm where he now lives, and which he purchased in 1855. While in that county he was employed principally in farming, though he at first taught several terms and gained considerable credit as an educator. He also paid some attention to the legal profession, but finding his physical organization utterly incompatible with the sedentary requirements of either the law office or the school-room, he abandoned all ideas of professional life in favor of the healthier exercise of farm duties. He owned two farms in Macoupin county. The first purchase was made in 1843, nearChesterfield, and the second nearer the county seat- He made money, and proved by his success that he had adopted a calling for which he was well qualified.

On locating in this county, he began the work of improvement on a raw quarter section. Within two years he had it all fenced and broken, performing all the required labor with his own hands, hauling his rails about eight miles. There was not at the time a dwelling-house in the town of Macon, and only a few small farm-houses in sight of his premises. The country soon however began to settle up, and in the summer of 57 Mr. Hopson counted as many as thirty two-prairie [ox] teams engaged in turning over the sod, most of which were in sight of his house. Under careful management and skillful cultivation the original " one hundred and sixty" has grown into the dimensions of a three hundred and sixty acre tract, all in a fine state of tillage ; and is now one of the first class homesteads of Macon County, where old-fashioned hospitality is still extended to all, such as was common in the earlier and pioneer days of the county.

He lias been twice married. His first wife was Miss Martha Richmond, daughter of Elkanah Richmond. This marriage occurred in 1848, while Mr. H. was enjoying a visit in his native state. She died in 1855, leaving a son, Chas. R. now engaged in the practice of law at Elgin. He was married the second time in 1859, his wife, being formerly Miss Sarah A. Fish, daughter of Win. L. Fish, still living, at the advanced age of ninety years. The nuptials were celebrated, June 23d, in the passenger depot, at Macon, which was likely the first marriage celebrated within the limits of the township. The issue of this union has been eight children, four survivors, viz , Edward F., Otho R and Misses Ethel and Lucy.

The remote ancestry were residents of Northumberland county, England. Five brothers came to this country together, three of whom died in the continental army. From one of the three survivors, Mr H. counts his descent. The given name of his grandfather was Alvarus. He was a native of Conn., where also James, Mr. Hopson's father, was born, who was only seven years old when the family settled in Herkimer county, N. Y. Miss Lucy Tuttle, whom he afterwards married, was also a native of the same state, and her parents settled in the same county at about the same date. They raised seven children, four of whom are still surviving the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Cramp and Mrs. Osborn of this township, and S. T. Hopson, a well known farmer of Macoupin county. Mr. Hopson was originally an old-line Whig, and cast his first vote for Genl. Harrison. He supported Douglas in 1860. He supported Lincoln in his second and Grant in his first term, and has since acted with what has been known as the Greenback party, in which his name is well known. He has been appointed several times, but has attended only one state and two national conventions. He is notan office-seeker, and since settling in this county has only officiated in township positions and the office of Justice of the Peace.

Thomas Davis

Is another old settler who has figured prominently in the affairs of the county, and who has done much to add both to its business and its wealth, and we therefore with pleasure add a brief notice of his life.

He is a native of the Keystone state, and was born in Washington county, September 12th, 1819, and is the son of George Davis and Hester Whiteman, natives of the same county. After attaining the age of manhood he went to Licking couaty, Ohio, where he served as a farm hand about five years, then spent some two years in farming and trading on his own account in Muskingum county.

He next directed his course westward, and located in Mt. Zion township, this county, in 1848. He purchased a farm in company with Philo Buckingham, another well-known business gentleman, and began trading in sheep and cattle. He soon purchased other lands in that township, and became well-known throughout this section of the state, both as a prominent farmer and an active, trader, and has maintained a business reputation from that day to this, which places him prominently before the people. For the last four years he has made a specialty in shipping horses and mules to the West, principally to Nebraska. Some of his investments have been very profitable, while others have involved heavy losses, and he has therefore had about the usual luck of all large traders. His object though, it seems, has not been so much to save money as to make it. His motto has been to create business, whether it promises large personal gains or not. He naturally loves to see business and trade active, the country prosper, even independent of his owm immediate interests, and no man in his section of the county should 1

He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Rogers, whom he married while on a visit to his old home in Pennsylvania. This companion he buried while a resident of Mt. Zion township. She was the mother of one child, which only lived a short time.

He was married to his present companion in 1856. Her given name is Margaret, sister to his first wife. She has had three children, all dead.

With respect to family history, the following items are gathered. His grandfather Davis was a native of Wales. He arrived in this country about the time of the Revolutionary war. He settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he died. Mr. Davis' father was there born and raised and became a farmer and brick-mason. He then married the lady already mentioned, and raised seven children - six still living: Thomas, Eliza Hatfield, of native county, Isaac, a well-known farmer of this township, Joseph, a farmer of Borie county and Martha and Mary J.

In politics Mr. Davis is an independent thinker, and votes as he thinks best for the general welfare of the country. He was a Unionist during the late war, and is in favor of the equal rights of all in civic privileges.

In physical constitution he has been endowed in a remarkable degree. He has had an iron constitution, and has performed a vast amount of manual labor. He is still robust and strong, and is yet blessed with unimpaired energies, and the prospect is that he will yet serve the county for many years in the work of material and social development.

David P. Keller

When Mr. Keller came to the county in 1869, he purchased the tract where he now lives, 240 acres, then entirely in a state of nature, and for which he paid $31.00 per acre. He at once began to improve, and has since added another 40 acre tract, to what is now7 one of the finest homesteads of the county. It is high, rolling, rich, and healthy, and includes a fine grove of timber, known to old settlers as Hickory Bunch. He has pursued what is often styled as a mixed system of husbandry, raising all the cereals common and usual to the country, and does a business in the line of live stock. He is therefore ready for the market in its different variations. He is a close calculator, a neat workman, and spends money liberally, and every part of his possessions bears the impress of these characteristics. He has not only added a superb estate to the county's wealth, but has built uj> a beautiful and refined home for his family, which will stand as a monument to his skill, taste and industry, when his remains find a resting-place with his fathers who have gone before.

Mr. Keller was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 10th, 1834. He was raised to manhood on his father's farm, and was well educated in letters and all branches of practical business. He was first married, Jan. 1st, 1856, to Miss Mary Hampson, who died the same year without issue. Was married again Sept. 20th, 1859, to his present wife, formerly Miss Rebecca McFarland, daughter of Walter and Julia (Wideler) McFarland, early settlers of Fairfield county. Her grandfather McFarland, was from Scotland, and was accompanied to this country by a brother, who became a soldier in the continental army. Her father served his country as a soldier, during the war of 1812. He settled in Fairfield county about the year 1800, when Ohio was a new country.

His Tory Of Macon Count Y, 1L L In 0 Is

only remained in the army about a year, when it became his imperative duty to return home, which he did in 1864. The following autumn he came to Shelby county, this state, but not liking the soil so well as that of this county, he sold his farm and moved here.

Mr. Keller's ancestors date back to that great " bee-hive of nations" - Germany. His grandfather, Henry, was a native of York county, Pa., and married Miss Catharine Seitz. They raised numerous children who afterward scattered over the West and South. Daniel, Mr. Keller's father, was the sixth and youngest son. He located in Fairfield county, in 1802. His wife was Susanna Ruffuer, and they are both still living in their old county, where their parents settled on coming to the state. They raised eleven children, six sons and five daughters, and have three sons and all their daughters still living. Their residences are as follows : Emanuel of Pettes county, Mo., Augustus R., Indian Agent in Montana Ter., Mrs. Lovina (Jonas) Hite, Mrs. Sophia (Jno.) Caldwell, Mrs. Catharine (W. L ) Rigby, and Mrs. Susan (Wm.)

Medill, reside in their native county ; Mrs. Catharine It. (Jackson) Shaver is a resident of Lasalle county, this state. They are all well circumstanced, and all have the highest social standing.

Of Mr. Keller it is not necessary to speak, as he is one of the "best acquainted men" of the county, one that is not only known, but also knows everybody. The writer's opinion is that he is a whole-souled, enthusiastic, and high-minded gentleman, not only of high and meritorious standing, but also clear-headed, not only in business matters, but on the great national topic of the age - the currency question. It is needless to say that he is a greenbacker of the first water, and an uncompromising friend of popular government and popular rights.

Mr. and Mrs. K. have been highly blessed in their family relatinos, and are conferring on their children a good education. Names as follows: Walter S., Augustus R., Ada D., Grace, and Julia A. Two of the daughters are now in attendance at the school at Valparaiso, Ind.