Staunton Township

Staunton Township

Staunton Times was established in August, 1878, by Showman and Lamb, who sold after two months to W. F. Bently. It was published and edited by F. L. Blome from 1885 to 1898; T. H. Edwards, 1898 to 1904; T. H. and J. J. Edwards, 1904 to 1908; M. W. Meyers, 1909. Bound files dated from 1885 to 1908 in possession of T. H. Edwards. The Times was the first paper conducted in Staunton after the lapse of time between 1861 until 1878. In 1858 the Staunton Banner was established by Parsons Percy, a practical printer, who brought the office outfit from Monroe county. The existence of the Banner was a precarious one and in 1861 the plant was purchased and moved to Gillespie.

In 1905 John Camp came into possession of the Star and in November, 1910, bought the Times. He then hyphenated the name of the paper and it is now 'known as the Star-Times. It is an excellent sheet, well patronized, and the only paper published at Staunton.

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Staunton township is situated in the extreme southeast corner of Macoupin county, and is bounded on the north by Cahokia township, on the west by Dorchester township, on the south by Madison county and on the east by Montgomery county. The township is mostly rolling prairie, well adapted for all kinds of agriculture. Several creeks run through the township, the principal one of which is Cahokia, which enters in the north part of section 5 and flowing in a southwesterly direction, passes out on the west of section 19. The streams are bordered by belts of timber, which include various kinds of oak, ash, sugar maple, walnut and hickory.

John Wood claimed the distinction of being the first settler in the township, coming in the year 1817. He was a blacksmith and millwright by trade and came here from Virginia, settling on the southeast half of section 36. In the same year Richard Wilhelm and Cennith Seymore, both natives of Pennsylvania, came to Staunton township from Alabama, and settled on section 24. In the spring of 1819 Telemachus Camp, who was a native of Georgia, also came here from Alabama and located on section 19. In November of the same year John D. and Richard Chapman, who were natives of North Carolina, came here from Tennessee, the former settling on section 18, while the latter established his home on section 24. In 1820 several families were added to this section, these being Jesse Chapman, who came from North Carolina and settled on section 1 7 : James B. Cowell, who came from Tennessee and settled on section 30, while Lewis and William Cormack settled in the same neighborhood. The following year, 1821, Rodger Snell, a native of North Carolina, came from Tennessee and settled on section 31. From this time on many came and settled in Staunton township and during the succeeding seven years this district became quite thickly settled, the people coming from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georg:a, Tennessee, Kentucky and some from Pennsylvania.

The first religious service was held here in the fall of 1820, at the home of Richard Chapman, the minister being Rev. Parham Ranclle, of the Methodist faith. Rev. James Lemon, a nr'nister of the Baptist faith, preached in the home of Telemachus Camp, in the fall of 1821. The first church was built and dedicated in 1828 and was not only used by all denominations for religious services, but served as well for school purposes and public meetings of all kinds. It stooil on the land where the city cemetery is now located.

The first school was conducted on the subscription plan and was taught in the summer of 1822 by William Wilcox. He taught eight hours a day, five days in the week, for two dollars a scholar.

In 1825 tRe first school house was built. It was constructed of split hickory logs, with clapboard roof and dirt floor. The second building for school purposes was made of hewn logs, with a shingle roof and oak plank floor. It was 18x20 feet in size and one story in height. The first teachers were Rodger Snell, Tristram P. Hoxey, Philip Denham and Archibald Hoxey.

The first couple to be married in the township was Jesse Chapman and Comfort Alexander. The ceremony was performed on the 29th of May, 1820, by John Y. Sawyer, a justice of the peace, at Edwardsville, which was the only place a license could be secured. The second couple married in the township was William Wilcox and Polly Cormack, in 1823.

The first white child born in the township was Benjamin, son of John D. and Sarah Chapman, in the spring of 1820. On the 23d of October of the same year a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Telemachus Camp. He died on the i5th of December following, this being the first death in the township.

In the fall of 1820 Richard Chapman purchased a pair of millstones and fitted up a band mill. Up until 1823 the settlers were dependent upon this mill for their bread stuffs. In the latter year John Wood built a horse mill on Silver creek, a few miles distant, and soon thereafter Stephen Wilcox erected a mill on section 25. In due course of time these gave way to tread mills, water mills and steam mills in their order, which furnished excellent facilities for the manufacture of flour.

Telemachus Camp made the first entry of land, August 18, 1819, on section 19, his place comprising one hundred and sixty-three acres. On the 2d of April, 1825, he entered eighty acres on section 31. December 22, 1828, Nathaniel Buckmaster entered eighty acres on section 29, and Rodger Snell entered eighty acres on section 31.

The town of Staunton is located on the northwest part of section 32 and a small portion extends into section 29 and section 31. The Wabash railroad runs along the east side of the town, and running northeast passes through the whole length of the township. The town seems to have been started by the opening of a store by Stephen G. Hicks in 1831. The town was laid out in l&35> by David Hendershot, the streets running north and south. It was not incorporated, however, until the 23d of February, 1859.

Chartered As A City

In 1891 Staunton received its charter as a city. At that time it had a population of 2,209. It has now 5,048 people within its corporate limits, is growing steadily and is at this time the largest city in Macoupin county. E. E. Godfrey was the first mayor under the city charter and served in that capacity from

1891 until 1899. In the latter year he was succeeded by John Coerver, who died in August of that year. R. M. Purdy was acting mayor until the following November, when E. E. Godfrey was appointed to fill the position. His successor, J. H. Harding, was elected in the spring of 1901 and served until 1903. C. F. Hackman was mayor from 1903 until 1906, when George H. Luker was elected and is the present incumbent.

City Hall

In 1884, what was then considered a large and substantial city hall, was erected. It is a two-story brick building and stands on the corner of Main and Wood streets, occupying part of the public park. It has outgrown its usefulness, has been condemned as being unsafe, and it is only a question of a short time when a more modern structure will take its place. In this building are the council chamber, city offices, and fire department. The city is well policed and the civil government is run economically, but in a manner which shows a very progressive spirit on the part of the citizens.

Electric Light Plant

In 1896 the city constructed an electric light plant, at an original cost of about $10,000. It was built near the water works plant, outside the corporate limits, about one mile from the city. Subsequently, it was removed into the city and housed in a well built brick structure, and at various times improvements have been added to the plant. In 1911, $9,000 was spent upon this utility. Staunton citizens take a great pride in their electric light establishment and claim to have one of the best plants of its kind in this section of the state. The service is continuous and the patronage so generous that the city is enabled to light the streets practically free of cost, or in other words, the electric light plant is self-sustaining.

City Water Works

Staunton also owns its water works, which were built in 1888, and in operation the latter part of that year. This improvement is built upon a tract of land consisting of twenty-seven acres. Here a dam was constructed at a cost of some $12,000. There is a brick power house, wherein are installed powerful pumps, which give sufficient pressure for any emergency. The water is wholesome and is piped throughout the city to many consumers. This is also a selfsustaining city utility and the plant itself is fully worth $50,000.

A Well Built City

The city of Staunton is not only the largest place in Macoupin county, but its business center is also the most substantially and more modernly built than any other town in the county. On its main street are some splendid buildings, devoted to mercantile purposes and its streets and sidewalks are of the best. There are now about eighteen blocks of brick paving and many miles of cement sidewalk.

Mining And Other Industries Of The City

The chief industry of Staunton consists in the mining of coal. Mines Nos. i and 2 of the Mt. Olive & Staunton Coal Company are located on the Litchfield & Madison railway - which runs through the city - near the north line of Madison county, Illinois, about one and a half miles from Staunton. These mines rank high among the important producers of the state of Illinois.' The company is an Illinois corporation, having its offices in Staunton. This coal is largely used for domestic purposes and is a very superior steam product. It is also a famous coal in the large clay burning districts near St. Louis.

Postal Savings Bank

H. A. Fischer is the postmaster at this place. Under the direction of the department at Washington he opened a postal savings bank on June 27, 1911, one of the first to be established by the government in the state of Illinois. The first deposit made at this office was for $100, by a farmer, on the day that the innovation was started, and at the time the office closed for receiving deposits on that first day, $1,100 had been taken in by the postmaster. Since the opening of the system at Staunton, the average daily deposits have amounted to $800. This clearly demonstrates the virtue of the government's postal savings banks.

The first postmaster here was Dr. Coons. His successors were : Hugh Caldwell, Thomas Blair, C. Godfrey, C. Panhorst, W. F. Hackman and D. G. Williamson. The present incumbent, H. A. Fischer, was appointed by President Roosevelt, April 10, 1906, and by President Taft on the 23d of April, 1910.

Wall & Company, Bankers

The banking house of Wall & Company was established in 1893 by Hampton W. Wall and J. C. Panhorst. This financial concern continued in business until 1898, when Mr. Wall died and at his death Mr. Panhorst retired. The institution then passed into the hands of the sons of Mr. Wall, William P. and Charles R., who conducted the business under the name of Wall Brothers. In 1901 William P. Wall secured full control of the business of Wall Brothers, and on March I, 1902, Cornelius Godfrey secured an interest in the concern and since that time the business has been conducted under the firm name of Wall & Company, Bankers, William- P. Wall, president; and C. Godfrey, cashier. The bank's responsibilities are $100,000.

Wall & Quade, Bankers

In 1902, after retiring from the Wall Brothers bank, Charles R. Wall and Otto E. Quade. under the firm name of Wall & Quade, established a banking institution. It is located in the corner of the Quade-Miller-Hackman block. Here are well appointed banking rooms, in which is a beautiful vault, the outer walls of which are covered with onyx and the inner walls steel lined. In this vault is a Mosler safe and safety deposit boxes. Both these banks are among the strong financial institutions of Staunton.

Library And Lodges

Staunton has a library of several hundred volumes and an active commercial club, the members of which have an eye single toward the interests of the city. There are numerous lodges, a few of which are here mentioned : Staunton Camp, No. 572, M. W. A.; Parnassus Lodge, No. 581, K. P.; Staunton Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M. ; Royal Neighbors; Musicians Protective Union Local No. 219; St. Michael's Branch, No. 32; Western Catholic Union; Eastern Star; Red Men, Odd Fellows, Ben Hurs and others.

North Otter is situated in the northern tier of townships and comprises township 12 north, range 7 west. The township is bounded on the north by Sangamon county, on the west by North Palmyra, on the south by South Otter and on the east by Virden and Girard townships. It took its name from Otter creek, which flows through the eastern part of the township, and it was so called from the fact that in early times large numbers of otters were found on the banks of this creek.

In 1829 the following settlers came to this locality: Hugh Gibson, John Pope, John Chandler, Jesse Cox, John Stewart and G. L. McGinnis. All brought their families with them. William C. Crump came in 1833, while the year 1834 witnessed the arrival of W. C. Alderson.

The first preacher in the locality was "Uncle Johnny" Stewart, a local preacher of the Methodist church. The Methodist denomination erected the first church here about 1866.

Dr. Goode located here in the '303 and began the practice of medicine. He was the only practitioner here until the arrival of Dr. Chapman in 1876.

The first two entries of land were made in 1828 by Owen T. Merry and Hardin Lodsdew, each entering eighty acres on section 19, in the month of November. In February, 1829, James McGinnis entered a like amount on section 19.

This township is located in what is geographically known as township n, range 7 west, and is bounded on the north by North Otter township, on the west by

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South Palmyra, on the south by Carlinville and on the east by Nilwood township. In the eastern and southern portions the land is mostly prairie and is a rich, black soil, while in the northwestern portion some timber is to be found, including oak, hickory and cottomvood. The general surface is undulating but near the creeks the bluffs are quite abrupt and the soil is mostly clay. The land is afforded good drainage by Otter creek and its tributaries. A portion of the village of Nilwood is located in the eastern part of this township.

The first settler in the township was a man by name of Days, who moved a log house across Otter creek from South Palmyra township. The first new buildings were erected by Samuel and Henry Miller. Other of the early settlers were Irvin and Martin Ptillam, Joel Bond, Alvey Graves, William Etter, Comfort Smith, Samuel Clark, David Davidson, J. Adams, T. S. Barrow, M. M. Ross, Robert and Thomas Bacon, G. D. Crawford and others.

M. P. Pullam entered the first land in the township, November 8, 1831, ninetytwo acres on section 2. Peter Lair entered forty acres on section 6, December 5. 1833, while Casper Rowland entered forty acres on section 10, in May, 1834.

Rev. William Vance, a Methodist, and a Rev. Williams, a Presbyterian, conducted services in the schoolhouse on section 30. at an early day. The Baptist church at Hickory Point, erected in 1869, was the first in this district.

A horse power mill on section 30, built by Henry Miller, was the first in the township. It was a sawmill, and was abandoned about the year 1850.

Gillespie township is bounded on the north by Brushy Mound, on the east by Cahokia, on the south by Dorchester and on the west by Hilyard townships. It was named in honor of Judge Joseph Gillespie by the managers of the In- ' dianapolis & St. Louis railroad. The soil is of yellow clay, mixed with sand near the streams but back from the streams the soil is a deep black loam and very productive. The township is drained by the Dry fork and its branches and along the streams in early times was found a heavy growth of timber, mostly oak. The southern and eastern portions are mostly prairie, which are laid out in finely cultivated farms. The southeastern portion of the township is drained by the Little Cahokia creek.

The first land entry was made October 28, 1825. by Michael Dodd, when he became the possessor of eighty acres on section 15. Three years later, September 15, 1828, Dennis Davis entered eighty acres in the northwest quarter of section 2. September 29, 1829, B. Nowlin and J. G. White each entered a tract of eighty acres on section 14.

The year 1829 witnessed the arrival of several families, among whom were Alexander Miller and Abraham Huddleston, Jr., who settled on section 3 ; and a widow by the name of McCafee, also Dennis Davis, both of whom settled on section 2.

It is not known who was the first child born but it is known that in the fall of 1830 a child was born in each of the homes of John Wright and Gabriel McKinzie.

In the year 1831 or 1832 Louisa Huddleston, daughter of Abraham and Judah Huddleston, aged eighteen months died and was buried on section 3. This was the first death in the township.

The first schoolhouse was constructed of logs in the fall of 1835 and was located on section 3. Alexander Walls and a Mr. Moore taught here in early times but it is not known which was the first teacher.

The first sermon in the township was preached in the home of Daniel Huddleston, on section 5, by Pleasant Lamay, a Baptist clergyman. He preached in the different homes and in the schoolhouse until a church was erected, which was in 1834, and was located on section 5. Rev. Lamay was the first to preach in the new church and continued to hold religious services here until the time of his death. In 1854 a larger and more modern building was erected, Alva Huddleston and Nicholas Grimes doing the carpenter work. Rev. William Fitzgerald delivered the first sermon in the new building. The first Sunday school was organized in 1848 and the superintendent was Henry Fishback.

Giles Adams was the first postmaster and the mail was kept in his home on section 17. This office was established in 1854 and prior to that time the mail was carried by stage on the line running between Carlinville and Bunker Hill.

The first election was also held in Mr. Adams' home in 1835. The settlers considered this, a great convenience as they had formerly gone to Carlinville to vote.