Waynesville Township

Waynesville Township

This is the oldest town in De Witt county, and is situated iu section 29, just in the southern edge of the Kickapoo timber It was named by George Isham in honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne, of whose exploits and generalship Isham was a great admirer. The township afterwards received its name from the village. The first town-plat was filed by Isham the 4th of June, 1832, and described as follows : A part of the E. » S. W. i section 29, and contained six blocks. This territory was then a part of ^IcLeau county; Subsequent additions were made as follows : Post and Isham, addition made January 12th, 1836. Russell Post, addition made October 10th of the same year. The first attempt for incorporation was made June 26th, 1844. A meeting was called and a vote taken, with the following result. For incorporating:

For some cause no organization was effected, and it was not until in the fall of 1.^68 that the town was incorporated, and then under a general act of the Legislature for the incorporating of villages. The first elected officers were : F. Brock, President of the Board ; J. AV. Di.x, J. Wilson, J. J. Starkey, Charles Williams, and James M. Evans. John Dickey was chosen clerk. The present officers of the village are: W. C. Whiteman, President of the Board ; William H. Cantrall. Charles Tenney, Henry Armstrong, William P. Gambrell, and James M. Evans ; Clerk : Dr. S. A. Crraham ; Treasurer, C. W. Williamson ; Police Magistrate, John McLeod : Town Constable, E. Gambrel.

The first goods sold in the town l being the first in the county,) were by Greenman \' Dunham in 1830, two years before the town was laid out. They had a small stock of notions and groceries, and their customers carae for many miles around. At this time there was but one store in Bloomington, which was kept by James Allin, founder of both the towns of Bloomington and Clinton. The store-room of the firm of Greenman & Dunham was a small hewed log cabin, situated in the eastern limits of the present corporation of Waynesville. It was afterwards taken down and moved to another spot in the same part of the town. It is now weather-boarded, and is used as a part of James AI. Evans' dwelling.

The first house built in the town proper, after it was platted, was erected by George Isham in 1832. It was a hewed log building, 16x18 feet in size, and situated on Maltby street, opposite what is now Odd Fellow's Hall. I. N. Chrisman put in a small stock of goods, which business he conducted for some time. The building was afterwards moved back from the street and used as a stable by Linus Graves. Some of the old logs may yet be seen in the north-west part of the town where they are utilized for a sidewalk.

The first frame building was erected by Benjamin Day for a dwelling in 1832, and located on Maltby street in the lot now occupied by R. H. Dragstern's store-room. The building was torn down many years ago. The first school-house was built by George Isham in 1836. and situated in the first addition to Waynesville, on Maltby street, in the lot now occupied by Addison Harrison. It was a little log building, and the first school taught in it "as by Linus Graves.

The first and only grist-mill constructed in the town was under the auspices of James Metland in 1850, and was situated in the northern limits of the village, a little east of Eber Davenport's tile factory. George Isham donated seven acres of ground in order to establish it. The building was a frame, two stories, and cost about 83,000. It had two run of stones, and other belongings to make a very good mill. Several years ago it was taken down, and moved to McLsan county. Livingston & Davis constructed the first saw-mill in 1853. It was situated a little, west and north of the Illinois Midland depot. It was run by steam-power, and had^ an upright saw. The relic of the old frame may yet be seen, but the machinery was taken out several years ago and utilized for other purposes. It may be interesting for the present generation and late settlers to know that the town could once boast of a tan-yard. It was constructed in 1833 by

Homer Buck, and situated on First street, in the lot now owned by the Ginnings family. It passed from existence many years ago. The village has two cemeteries, one situated in the east part of the town and the other in the west. The ground of the former was donated to the inhabitants of the town by George Isham in 1852. The latter was donated by Prettyman Marvel, and antedates the former.

The present school building is situated on the public square, and was erected in the fall of 1866, at a cost of 84,000. It is a square building, 36x36, and two stories in height. There are two rooms, furnished with the latest improved furniture, etc. A cupola adorns the building, from which is suspended a school bell. Two teachers are employed, and it is thus partially graded- Nine months is the usual term taught in the year, and it has an attendance of about 75 pupils. The town also contains two good church buildings, Cumberland Presbyterian, and Methodist. The former is a large frame building with spire and bell. This was the first church house built in the village, and was constructed in 1839. The latter is a substantial brick house, also ornamented with a spire and bell. For a more complete account of the churches, see special chapter on Ecclesiastical history.

At this writing the town 'of Waynesville contains about 360 inhabitants. Two fine brick business houses are already in process of erection ; and there appears in all parts of the town a good show of energy and push for a small country town. The people have met with several reverses to retard the progress of their town, among which, probably the most prominent, was the cholera epidemic in the latter part of the summer of 1855. The following are the names of the deaths in the village of that year : Dugald Walker and wife : Young Fonts, wife and child ; Mrs. Hogland ; Mrs. Isaac Bowman and child ; Mrs. Grimes ; Dr. F. S. Harrison; a child of J. P. Dunham, and a child of Mr. Shelly, - 12 in all. In the neighborhood of the village the following were the deaths : John Ackerson, wife, sister and four children ; Alexander Gaston, and one other person, name not known. Great suffering and privations prevailed at this time for the lack of nurses, and medical attendance. The family of Ackerson were all buried in rude boxes, and interred in the night, so afraid were the people of the infection spreading in their midst.

Present Business

Brick and Tile Works of E. Davenport were established in 1852, and situated in block 43, Port's addition to Waynesville. The shed and inclosure is 130x144 feet, and the drive-ways occupy upwards of one acre of ground. The factory contains three kilns for burning tile, and has the capacity of manufacturing 200,000 feet of tile annually. The works also contain a brick kiln, capable of burning 300,000 per year, and in all give employment to six men. The value of the manufactured product is upwards of 83,000 annually. Mr. Davenport is the patentee of the " down and up draft " kilns which are proving such a success in the country.

Atchison Tile Works, David Atchison, proprietor. These works were established in the fall of 1877, and are situated in the north part of the town at the foot of Maltby street. The cost of this manufactory was 82,000. It has the capacity of manufacturing 350,000 feet of tile in the working season, and gives employment to four men. Manufactures tile from 2] inches in diameter to eight inches. The grounds occupy two and a half acres, and are convenientlj' arranged with drying sheds, and drive ways suitable to the business. The works contain a sawmill attachment, and at certain seasons of the year it does quite a^thriving business in the lumber trade. The whole business is driven by a twenty horse-power engine- Annual value of manufactured product, ST.OOO.

Elevator A. - Gambrel i Cook, proprietors. This iudustrv was established in the spring of 1S77; and is situated at the foot of First Street, and on the switch of the Illinois Midland Railway. It was was built by Cook & Son, and passed into the hands of the present proprietors in July 1881. It is a frame building, three stories high, and 36x4'8 feet on the ground, and built at a cost of 83000. It has two dumps, and drive-ways complete, and the capacity of elevating .')000 bushels of grain per day, and can store 12,000 bushels ; besides having cribs attached, capable of holding 50,000 bushels of corn. This elevator is driven bv horse power, and gives employment to live men and three teams. Carriage and Wngon Manufactory. - This was established bv Evans Bros, in the spring of 1875. The building is a frame, two stories, and 30x70 feet in size, and cost the proprietors $2000. It is located on the corner of First and Maltby Streets ; employs eight men, and the annual value of the mantiictured product is -S4000. All the work is performed by hand.

Brick Yard, owned and operated by A. L. Yocom. This yard was established in the spring of 1879, and is located in the north part of the town, between laham and Maltby Streets. It gives employment to four men, and manufactures 200,000 bricks annually. Mr. Yocom also owns a portable saw-mUl, situated in the north part of the village, capable of sawing from four to five thousand feet of lumber daily. It is run by a traction-engine of 16-hor.se power, and gives employment to four men. The logs are hauled from the Kickapoo and Rock Creek timber.

Wiiyne Lodge, No. 172, A. F. & A M . was organized under dispensation in 1855, and the first meeting held, May 26th of the same year. The Lodge was organized under a charter the 3d of October following. The charter ofiicers were, John H. Lisk, W. U. ; Calvin Timraons, S. W. ; Samuel Graham, J. W. ; David Wheeler, Treasurer : E. Stuart, Secretary : John S. Cantrall, J. D., and S. Lowe, Tyler. The Lodge then contained but seven charter members. The present ofiicers are, John M. Burkholder, W. M. : J. J. Starkey, S. W. ; John R. McLeod, J. W. ; Wiley .Alarvel, Treas. ; Wm. P. Gambrel, Sec; John F. Dix, S. D. ; Henry M. Leal. J. D. ; John Booth, Tyler. The Lodge meets every .Saturday night, on or before the full of the moon.

/. 0. M. A., Xo. 110. - -This Lodge was organized by M. L. Ross, of Quincy, 111., February 28th, 1881. The following are the names of the officers : .lames Thomp.son, P. ; H. T. Armstrong, V. P. ; Charles E. Evans, R. C. ; S. A. Graham, F, S. ; D. H. Fults, Treas ; Doctors Wakfield and Graham, M. E. There were fifty-two charity members. The present officers are, W. P. Gambrel, P. ; J. C. Evans, V. P. ; H. T. Armstrong, R. S. ; S. A. Graham, F. .S. ; D. H. Fults, Treas. ; Doctors Wakefield and Graham, M. E. The present membership is the original number, fifty-two.

Biographical Sketches Rebecca Gambrel

The subject of this sketch is the oldest settler now living in De Witt County- She is the daughter of John and Nancy Barr, and was born in South Carolina, April '21st, 1806. Her father was a native of the North of Ireland. He emigrated to America and settled in the Carolinas ; afterwards removed to Tennessee, then to Indiana, and in 1837 came to Illinois and settled in Logan County where he died. He married Nancy Hamilton, a native of South Carolina. She also died in Logan County, 111. Rebecca is among the older children, of which there were eleven. Four of them still survive, viz., Mrs. Garabrel, John, Thomas and Lewis Barr. On the 15th of May, 1823, Rebecca was united in marriage to Prettyman Marvel, who was a native of Georgia. The marriage was solemnized in Indiana. Two years after that event, Mr. JIarvel left Gibson County, Indiana, came to Illinois, and settled near where the town of Waynesville now stands. At that time they were the only white residents or people in this section of the country. The nearest settlement was ten miles away. Other settlers, however, came soon after, and together these early pioneers subdued the wilderness and made it habit" able for their posterity and coming generations. Prettj'man Marvel was born May 8th, 1801, and died July 23d, 1842. In September, 1847, Mrs. Rebecca Marvel married Thompson P. Gambrel. He was a native of Kentucky ; from there removed to Indiana, and in 1847 came to Illinois. He died August 31st,

1877. By her marriage with Prettyman Marvel there were eleven children, and none by the latter marriage. Mrs. Gambrel at the age of seventeen became a convert and member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. One year after her marriage with ]Mr. Marvel he experienced religion, and they both joined the M. E. Church. During the late war she joined the .M. E. Church, South. (For a full description of the country, and the settlers, neighbors of Prettyman Marvel, the reader is referred to the Pioneers and History of Waynesville Township to be found in another part of this work.)

William P. Gambrel, one of the active business men of Waynesville, is the son of William and Mary A. Gambrel He was born in De Witt County, March 28th, 18.59. His education was received in the common schools of the county, and in its High School of Clinton, and one year spent in Wesleyan University, at Blooraington, 111. On the 15th of October, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura E., daughter of R. W. and Catharine Sweeney, residents of Clintonia Township, DeWitt Co. Bv thai union there is a child named Henry H. Gambrel. In October, 1879, jNIr. Gambrel engaged in the grain business, in which he still continues. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Orders ; politically, is a democrat. He is a member of the Board of Tru.*tees of Wavnesville.

The Joues family, ou the paternal side, are of Welsh ancestry, and on the maternal, English, and of the nobility while yet residents of England. Peter Jones, the paternal grandfather of the present family, was a native of Jlaryland ; he settled in the Carolinas a short time after the Revolutionary war, where the family remained until about 1804, when they removed to Ohio, and subsequently in 1831 came to Illinois, and stopped in Sangamon county, and in the following spring came to what is now known as De Witt county, where Peter Jones died in 1842. He married Mary Branson, by which union was John Branson Jones, whose portrait stands at the head of this sketch. He was born in North Carolina December 24, 1799 ; he came with his father to Illinois, and here settled on Sec. 16, now in Waynesviile township, where he bought a claim, and afterwards rented land in same section, and there he lived until his death, which occurred April 'lOth, 18-56. Mr. Jones in his life was in some respects a remarkable man, possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and was one of those rugged minds that had for its basis much valuable common sense. During the Indian wars in Indiana he was commissioned as captain in the 39th Regiment In. diana Militia, dating from March 3d, 1832. Afterward he came to Illinois, and in 1840 he was commissioned by Governor Reynolds as Colonel of the 8th Regiment Illinois Vols. Col. Jones took great delight in military matters, and on general mustering days was a conspicuous figure on the field where were marshalled the hardy pioneers in mimic array. He married Miss Rachel Thomas, who is a native of Ohio, and was born April 5, 1803. 8he still survives her husband, and is now in her seventy-ninth year, and a resident on the same place where she settled with her husband over half a century ago. She is a woman of whom it may be said she was a true helpmate and partner of her husband, sharing in his joys and bearing with him the burdens of life with a true womanly spirit. Although suffering for a number of years from physical infirmities which are of such a character as would have borne down much stronger natures, yet so gentle is her disposition, so kind and self-sacrificing her nature, that no sign or word has ever escaped her which might be construed as an expression of discontent or repining at her lot, or that the grievous burden might be lifted from her.

There were twelve children born to John B. and Rachel Jones ; Charles W. is the eleventh in the family ; he was bora on Sec. 16 Waynesviile township, De Witt county, Illinois, February 13th, 1842. His education is mainly self-culture, acquired by extensive and voluminous reading. He remained at home, at work on the farm, until 1861, when he entered in the first call for 7.1,000 troops to put down the rebellion ; he became a member of Co. E of the 7th Regiment Illinois Vols. At the close of his enlistment he returned home, and in the fall of the same year re-enlisted for three years service in Co. D of the 8th Regiment Mo. Vols. He participated with this regiment in the battles of Donelson, Fort Henry, Crump's Landing, Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg. In the latter fight he was wounded in the attempt to storm the works ; he was sent to the hospital, and soon after discharged from reason of physical disability caused by the wound. He returned home and re-engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he still continues. On the 27th of February,

History Of Dl Witt Cou.Vtv, Illixois

1875, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Vinson, by whicli union there are two children, named Rachel and John Branson Jones, aged respectively six and five years. In his religious beliefs, Mr. Jones subscribes to none of the formulated creeds, but is extremely liberal, and takes his stand with the advanced thinkers and the liberal thought of to-day. He is a Democrat, which ticket he voted until 1876, when he wandered from the Democratic fold and voted for Peter Cooper, but in 1880 came back to his first political love and cast his ballot for Gen. Winfield S. Hancock. He takes an active interest in political matters, and is one of the recognized leaders of his party in the county. In 1881 he was elected to represent his township in the board of supervisors, and in the discharge of the duties therein imposed upon him has given complete and universal satisfaction. Mr. Jones is to the '"manor born," and is in every sense a genuine type of the Western man. Of broad and liberal views, in sympathy with the masses upon all questions affecting them, fearless in the expression of what he deems right, of ready tact and good address, we say he is the natural product of the broail prairies of the West.

F. M. Jeffrey

Wa3 born in Fayette County, Indiana, September 21st, 1832. The family is Scotch descent on the paternal side. William Jeffrey, the great-grandfather of the present family, emigrated from Scotland to America, and was a soldier of the Revolution. He settled in New Jersey when William, the grandfather, was born. He moved to Utica, Xew York, where AVilliam, his son, and the father of Francis M. was born. The grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812, and also in the Indian wars, and was at the battle of Tippecanoe. In 1811 he moved to Fayette County, Indiana, and remained there until 1856, when he came to Illinois and settled in this township. He married Ruth Allen, of Xew York, by whom there were four sons and four daughters. William, the father of F. M., was the eldest son. He was born in Utica, New York, October 27th, 1807, and died August 23d, 1S77. He came to Wayuesville, Township in 1837, and has followed his trade of tanning, subsequently engaging in farming. He married Harriet De Camp, who was born March 2d, 1S13. She still survives her husband. By that marriage there were twelve children - four sons and three daughters still living. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the children. He worked with his father at the tanning business, and on the farm until 1856, then went to carpentering, and continued at the trade until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted for three years in Co. " F," 38th Reg't. 111. Vols. The regiment became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. He participated with his regiment in the hard fiught b.attles of Fredericktown, Champion Hills, Stone River, Liberty Gap, the first and second battles of Corinth, then in the Atlanta Campaign, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and .Jonesboro, where the time of service of the regiment expired. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, where the command was repulsed in their attempt to capture a battery. He received two wounds at Stone River. At the battle of Liberty Gap he was one of the sixty men who volunteered to capture a battery- They succeeded, but it cost them one-fourth of the men in killed and wounded. In that desperate undertaking Mr. Jetl'rey was Tounded in the head. After he was mustered out he returned home and resumed his trade of carpentering in which he still continues. On the 25th of December, 1850, he married Miss

Sarah McEntire. She died in March 1857. Two children by that marriage both died. On July 21st, 1865, he was united iu marriage to Miss Harriet Alice Kidd, who was born in Miama County, Indiana. She is the daughter of Captain Edmund Jones Kidd, a native of Carolina County, Virginia. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, with the rank of Captain. His wife, and the mother of Mrs. Jeffrey, was Christiana De Camp, of Vermont. The De Camps are of French ancestry. There have been bom to Mrs. Jeffrey, four sous and four daughters, two sous and two daughters living. Their names in the order of their births are Roxie B., Mabel St. Clair, Edmund Ernest, and Charles Kidd .It-ffrey. On the subject of religious belief, Mr. Jeffrey subscribes to none of the formulated creeds, but believes that in doing unto others as you would have others do unto you, is contained the genuine essence of true religion. He is member of the order of I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and belong.; to Prairie State Lodge No. 104 and Encampment, No. 23, Atlanta, Illinois. Politically, he has been a Republican since that party came into existence and supported .John C. Fremont for President in 1856. This, in short, is a brief history of Mr. .Jeffrey. He was a gallant and brave soldier, and ii a good citizen, an honest man, and as such enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.

Thomas Taylor

The subject of the following sketch, in connection with his brother, stands at the head of fine stock breeders in the state The Taylor family, on the paternal side, is of .Scotch-Irish ancestry. Thomas Taylor, the grandfather, emigrated to America from the north of Ireland and settled in Virginia. His son -Joseph, father of Thomas, was born in that state in 1797. From Virginia he removed to Ohio, between 1826 and 1830, and settled in Perry county, at Rehoboth, and there married. In 1837 he came to Illinois and settled in what is now known as Wayuesville township, then part of McLean county ; he rented land in Sec. 15, and farmed for three years, then removed to Sec. 29 in same township, where he leased a farm owned by John Slatton, now known as the " Yocom " farm, and stayed there two years, then removed to McLean county, i>n Sugar creek, and there farmed for five years, then came back and purcha.sed the land where he originally settled when he first came to the county. He bought two hundred and fifty acres, paying fifteen hundred dollars for it- Here he remained until 1850, when the gold excitement in California reached this country. He organized a company of emigrants, and went by overland route to the land of gohl. They landed in Sacramento July 3d ; he there engaged in the grocery trade, but was soon after taken sick with the prevailing fevers of the country, aud died on the 10th of September, 1850. At the time of his death he was possessed of considerable property and goods, which would have been of much advantage to the family, but it w.is fraudulently appropriated by a would-be friend, and the family never received a cent of it. ]Mr. Taylor, while a resident of P'^rry county, Ohio, married Miss Letha Gardner, a native of JIaryland, but a resident of the above-named county at the time of her marriage. She was the daughter of John Gardner, who afterwards moved to Coles county, Illinois, and there died. There were six sons and four daughters born to Jlr. and Mrs. Taylor. Thomas, who is the twin-brother of John, was born in Wayuesville township, De Witt county, Illinois, October 10, 1838. His education was received in the ueighborhood, in the common-schools, where he learned sufficient to transact any of the ordinary business of life ; he was raised to habits of industry on the farm, and at an early age became practically self-supporting. In the spring of 1864 he started in business for himself, and his first venture in that direction was in renting land in Sec. 21 in this township. He there farmed for two years, then went to McLean county, and one year later came back and purchased a part of the old home, stead, and the same year built the house in which he still lives, and there he has made his home to the present time On the 26th of December, 1861, he was united in marriage to Jliss Rachel Clayton, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, October 11, 1843. By this union there were four children ; the eldest son died in his third year. The names of the others, in the order of their birth, are: Minnie, Jesse and Harry Taylor; all of them are yet beneath the parental roof. Mrs. Taylor died August 11, 1880. She was a member of the M. E. church, but before her death she attached her-self to the Christian denomination. Mr. Taylor is not a member of any church, but is rather incliued to a liberal belief. He is a member of the Order of A. F. & A. M., and belongs to Waynesviile Lodge, No. 172. Politically, he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860, and from that time to the present has been a member of that political organization. This, in brief, is an outline history of Thomas Taylor and family. The subject of this sketch, in connection with his brother, as intimated before, are known throughout tht; West as successful sheep and hog breeders. Their breeds of American Merinos and Shropshiredown sheep, Poland, China, Chester White, Berkshire, Suffolk and E^se.x swine, are well known in all parts of the Union. In order to give the reader some idea of the success and extent of the l)usiness, we have given a short sketch as to how and when they commenced. Like all successful breeders, they commenced in a small way, and learned every detail of how to handle and breed their stock. Thomas commenced in 1865, and continued until 1875, when his flock of sheep had increased to one hundred and nine. He then sold out and commenced again. In 1876 he bought twenty ewes of Daniel Kelly, of Wheatland, Illinois, paying S20 per head. In 1877 he bought four ewes of same party, paying $50 per head, and at the same time purchased two of his son, for which he paid $162.50. The next year he bought twenty-one ewes in Wisconsin, at 820 per head; in 1878 bought three of C. M. Clark, of Wisconsin, at a cost of $25 per head, another at 860, and one at 830. In 1879 he purchased fifty of George Lawrence, paying $1000; in 1877 he purchased the famous buck "Germoso," of John H. Paul, for which he paid $200. From these he has bred and raised his flock. Now the excellence of the breed is best shown in the number, and amount of premiums taken at state fairs of fat stock exhibitions held in Illinois, Indiana, r)hio, Missouri and Iowa.

In 1876, they took cash premiums aggregating $1,500; in 1877, 81,110; in 1878, $1,960; in 1879, 82,257; in 1880 and 1881, they attended four fairs only, but took $2,575 in premiums in those two years. Their sales of bucks in 1879, for breeding purposes, aggregated -$1,470, and in 1880, 82,979. Their buck ' Smuggler " took alone 8450 in premiums. His buck " Crown Prince " was of the Shropshiredown breed, and was bred in England by Gerry Allen. At one year old he weighed three hundred pounds; he took in premiums $485. In the breeding of swine they have been equally successful. In 1881 Mr. Taylor took eight pigs to the fat stock show in Chicago, and captured five first premiums, two second and one third, and two sweepstakes.

one of which included the grand prize over all and every kind of swine on exhibition. The victor was a sow of the Essex breed, fourteen months old. In 1881 the sale of pigs for breeding purposes aggregated $1,500. In the many years in which they have been in the business they have built up a reputation for strict and honorable dealing, and their reputation in that direction is co-extensive with their fame as stock breeders. To gain this point it has cost time and money ; but they well knew that reputation, once firmly established and built upon the solid foundation of truth and honesty, would be as enduring and lasting as though written on brass or chiseled on marble, and to that end they made every honorable effort, and in it they have succeeded.

TiiK subject of this brief biographical sketch was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 19th, 1840. The family is of Welsh ancestry on the paternal side. Levi Starkey emigrated from Wales to America prior to the Revolutionary war. He was accompanied by a brother, named John, who afterwards shipped on board a whaler bound for the North, and was lost at sea. Levi was a soldier under Washington, and rose to the command of a company of cavalry. At the battle of Brandywine he received a sabre cut across the face, which left a deep scar, which he carried to his grave. He removed to Ohio in 1822, and settled in Z.inesville ; and died there in 1850. He married Susan Stedam, a native of Delaware. By that marriage there were seven children. Cornelius, the father of Dr. Starkey, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, March 18th, 1818. He is now a resident of Allen county, Kansas, where he moved to in 1865. He married Miss Julia Ann Johnson ; she died in 1860. Dr. Starkey is the eldest son by that union ; he was raised on the farm, and was educated in the common schools of his native county. In 1857 he came West with his father, and settled in Me Lean county, and in 1859 entered the Wesleyau University at Bloomington, and remained there tw'o years. His intention was to take a regular collegiate course, but the war breaking out interrupted his studies. He put aside his books, and with patriotic devotion to his country enlisted for three years in Company K of the 94th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He remained in the service, and participated with his regiment in all the skirmishes and battles in which it was engaged until his term expired, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged ; he returned home to McLean county. While he was a student at the University he concluded to adopt the profession of medicine as the business of his life ; and, with that object in view, paid particular attention to the studies of physiology, chemistry, and all kindred studies that would aid him in the profession. He entered the office of Dr. David Crist of Bloomington, and pursued his studies diligently. In 1868 he entered the Louisville Medical College, and attended one full course. In 1873 he graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. Before graduating he went to Allen county, Kansas, and commenced to practice. After his graduation he came to Waynesviile, and here he has continued and built up a large and lucrative business. He belongs to the progressive school of medicine, and is a member of the De Witt County Medical Society. He is a member of A. F. and A. M., and I. O. O. F. Societies. Politically he is a sound, uncompromising Republican On the 28th of September, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie, daughter of Uriah Washburn. Five children by that union ; two only are living. Dr. Starkey possesses social qualities of high order, and is au exceedingly companionable gentlemen. He is pleasant, and affable to all who come in contact with him either upon business, pleasure, or social intercourse ; and, as per consequence, is esteemed by all who know him.

sented his township in the Board of Supervisors. He is an advocate of temperance, and has belonged to all the organizations for the suppression of the vice of intemperance, and was the first Worthy Chief of the first Templar Lodge of Waynesville.

Eber Davenport

Squire Davenport, the grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, was a native of Vermont. He subsequently removed to Xew York, where he died. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His son, who was also named Squire Davenport, wa.* born in 1TS5, in Vermont, and was a soldier of the War of ISl'i. He left Vermont when a young man, and traveled over the country ; and was for a number of years piloting and boating on the Mississippi. He settled in Ohio, but lived in various other states owing to his roving disposition. He came to Illinois in 1829, and settled in Morgan county, and, a few years later, moved to Greene county in same state, and remained there eleven years, then came to Waynesville in 1842. He married Ruth Harris, a native of New Jersey. She died in 1837 in Greene county. Eber is the fifth in a family of eight children. He was born iii Morgan county. Ills., Jan. 7, 1830. His education was limited to about ten months in all ; therefore, his edu cation may be said to be mainly self culture. He worked witli his father at the cooper trade. In 185:2 he married, and, soon after, started in the manufacture of brick, making them by the old hand-process. His business gradually increased, and in 1877 he added the manufacture of tile, in which he has continued to the present. He has given much of his time to the study and improvement of machinery for the manufacture of brick and tile- He patetited an improved brick kiln. It is a combination of a down and upward draft, thereby getting the benefit of a return heat, which saves fuel as well as labor. So far, kilns built upon this plan have proved satisfactory. He has always thought that human ingenuity ought to be able to devise means by which the work of horses or their power could be utilized. He is therefore at work experimenting upon a steam propeller, or a wagon driven by steam, for ordinary farm and road use. His experiments, so far, promise to lead to practical and satisfactory results. On the 22d of April, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss A. M. Tinker, a native of Ohio. Her parents, Jonathan and Lucinda Tinker, came to Illinois at an early day. Bv this union there have been four children, three of whom died in infancy. Lyman Lovejoy Davenport is the only son. He is now in his twenty-first year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davenport are members of the Presbyterian Church. He united with that Christian organization in his childhood. He is a most profound and earnest believer in the principles of the Orthodox Church, and at all times is ready to combat the heresies and fallacies of the so-called liberal thought - Spiritualism and other modern innovations and unbeliefs - that have crept into the church. Politically he was originally an old line Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Scott in '.52. He soon afterespoused the cause of the Anti-slavery party, which action naturally led him into the Young Republican party. He was one of the pioneers of that party, and supported John C. Fremont in 18.56. He has repre-

W.\.s born in Morgan county, Ohio, December 1.3th, 1826. The family is of Welsh descent. They settled in New Jersey, and afterwards moved to Virginia. Benjamin, the grandfather of Mathew, married Ruth Vanmeter about the year 1778. His sou father of Mathew, was born in Ohio county. West Virginia, April 12th, 1789, and moved to Zanesville, Ohio, while very young. He remained in Ohio until 1833, when he came West to Illinois, and settled in De Witt county on section 16 in Waynesville township, then a part of McLean county. He died September 26th, 1861. He entered three hundred and twenty acres in sec. 19 in same township, and improved it. He married Catherine E. McElhiney. She was born in Baltimore, Dec. 18, 1791, and when five years old her parents removed to Ohio county, West Virginia, and there grew to womanhood, and then moved to Zanesville, Ohio, when she married Samuel Hammitt, April 4th, 1812 In a few years they moved to Morgan county, and from there to Illinois, near where Mathew Hammitt now lives. Mrs. Hammitt died November 22, 1857. By the marriage of Samuel and Catherine E. Hammitt there were eleveft children, four sons and seven daughters. Jlathew is the seventh in the family. He was yet in his boyhood when the family came to Illinois. He remained at home assisting his father upon the farm until his twenty-third year. In 1819 he moved to where he now lives. On the tract of land was a small log house, and here he has lived and made the improvements which now beautify this place. On the 6th Dec, 1849, he married Miss Sarah Baker, daughter of Jas. and Christina i Roberts) Baker. Mrs. Hammitt was born in Morgan county, Ohio, Oct. 7th, 1831. Her father was one of the first settlers of Ohio He came West in 1834, and settled in McLean county. Ills., where Mrs. Hammitt was living at the time of her marriage. There were five children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hammitt, three of whom are living. Their names, in the order of their birth, are : Letitia, who is the wife of H. A. Kephart, farmer and resident of this township ; Benjamin, who is also a farmer in this township, married Alice Grates ; and Margaret Hammitt.

In religious matters Mr. Hammitt is liberal in his belief. Politically, he has been a life-long Democrat. In 1848 he cast his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass, and from that time to the present has remained a true and staunch adherent and advocate of democratic principles. In 1877 he was elected to represent his township in the Board of Supervisors. He was re-elected in '78 and '79. During his occupancy of this office he has discharged the duties incumbent upon him with fidelity and to the best interests of the entire county. Mr. Hammitt is one of the old settlers of De Witt county. He has liveil here as man and boy for nearly fifty years, and in all that time, among those who have known him best, has borne the reputation of an honest and straightforward man.

I N THE north and eastern part of the county is bounded as follows : On the north by Mc- Lean county, on the east by Santa Anna township, south by De Witt, and west by Wilson, and contains -4 sections of land, or about 15,500 acres. It received its name from the oldest householder, William J. Rutledge, who is said to be the oldest person born in the state, now residing in the county. He is thus a native of Illinois, and was born in 1817, his birth place being White County. The township is mainly prairie land, only between three or four sections having timber. The prairie is as good land as there is in Central Illinois. It consist of the deep, peaty loam peculiar to Grand Prairie, and is slightly undulating, sufBcieut to render good drainage with the use of tiling, which is being introduced to a considerable extent. The land in the timber is broken, and of a lightish color, but excellent for the production of wheat, blue grass or fruits and especially grapes. The timber is found entirely in the northwest, hugging the north branch of Salt Creek. This stream enters the township in the northern center of section 17, and flows south and west and passes out in the south-west of section 30. There are several perennial springs along the margin of the timber near the creek. The Springfield Division of the Illinois Central Railway crosses through the township in the south-east, entering from the east in the north-east corner of section 36, and crossing the line between Rutledge and De Witt in the southern central part of section 35. The thriving little town of Parnell is situated on the railroad, just over the township line, but furnishes an excellent market for grain and other conveniences to the citizens of Rutledge. We have thus given an outline history of this township, and will now proceed to give an account of the

First Settlements

The first to undergo the hardships of pioneer life within the boundaries of Rutledge was a native of Tennessee, Charles McCord. He emigrated from his native state with his family and located here in 1833, on section 32. His family consisted of his wife, Nancy, and three children, James S., Nicholas and Mary. Their home was a meagre pole cabin, 16x18, with a puncheon floor of roughest kind. The chimney was constructed of mud and sticks, and the door upon its wooden hinges could be heard to creak for half a mile. There were no patent latches in those days, it was merely a wooden contrivance with a string passing through a hole in the door to raise the latch ; hence the origin of the expression, " the latch string is hanging out;" as these pioneers were always the most hospitable people in the world, from whom originated the old saying above quoted. Apropos of this prevailing virtue, one of the pioneers now living gives an account of his being received at the cabin of Mr. McCord's in 1834, when he was making a tour through this part of the country. At the time of his arrival the mud chimney had toppled over, and the cabin was not in a condition for family use. They had therefore appropriated the pole smoke-house for the time being. This was only 8x10 feet in size, and the ground for a floor. Imagine if you can ten persons stowing themselves away for the night in a cabin like this. The fire was built on the ground, and all reveled in the smoke ; and yet, says Mr. Vandeventer, one of the guests, " we enjoyed it hugely."

Mr. McCord was a mere squatter, but that year he broke a small piece of ground and raised a crop of corn. The following year, Daniel King bought out his improvement right, and Mr. McCord moved to De Witt township, where he died in 1839. None of his descendents are now residing in the county. His widow, with the family, afterwards migrated to California. The "squatter's" right is now owned by Magill Brothers of Clinton.

Another pioneer, Jacob Vandeventer, came from Tennessee in the fall of 1831, and located first in Mc Lean county, where he remained three years, and in the fall of 1834, moved to this township and squatted in section 17. He had a family consisting of his wife Rachel, and eight children, Abraham, Martha, John, David, Mary, Mahala, Marainy, and James. Mr. Vandeventer died just one year after his coming. His widow brought up the family, and died about twelve years ago. Five of the children are living, and all but one reside in the county. John McCord was a native of Tennessee, and settled here in 1834. He came with his father, James McCord, to Illinois in 1832. He was then a young man without any family, and being of an ambitious turn of mind left the parental roof, and took a pre-emption or squatter's right in section 36, in 1834. He soon afterward married Miss Sarah AVatt, and went to housekeeping on his premises. Three children were born by this union, Jackson, Charles W. and Maria. In after years he moved to Clinton, where he died in 1880. His widow survives him and resides in Clinton. None of the children live in the county.

William McPherson came in the same year as McCord. He was from Virginia. The 17th of March, 1834, he made the first land entry in the township, being the N. E. i of the S. E. 1 of section 19. His family consisted of his wife, Polly, and six children, four boys and two girls. The father and mother are both dead. But one of the children, Nancy, wife of Milan Moore, now lives in the county, and resides at Farmer City.

In 1835, there were but six families in the township ; Chas. McCord, William JlcPherson, Rachel Vandeventer - then the widow of Jacob Vandeventer, Nathan Britton, W. J. Rutledge,

History Of Be Witt Covxty, Illinois

Xathan Britton came from Indiana in the summer of 1835, and settled in section 19. He had a family, consisting of three children, Elizabeth, George P. and Fannie. Mr. Britton lived to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and died about 1862 George P. is yet living on the old homestead ; Fannie is dead, aud Elizabeth is residing out of the county. W. .J. Rutledge is a native of the state, aud came to this township in the fall of the same year as the above. His family were his wife, Eliza, and two children, Martha J , and .John A. ; they located in section 19. Mrs. Rutledge died soon after coming here, and in 1839 Mr. Rutledge was again married, to Mary Vandeventer, with whom he is yet living. No children have been born from this marriage. One of the children, Martha .J., died in 18(37. Johu A., is now residing in section 1.5. William Deatherage migra ted from Kentucky, first stopping in Morgan county. This vm in 1830. He remained there five years, when he moved to Rutledge and settled in section 31. He had a wife and four children Several years afterward he went to Jlariou, De Witt township, where he died. The family subsequently moved to parts uu" known.

.James Vandeventer, another early settler, was a native of Tennessee, but soon removed to Virginia, and from thence to Illiuois in 1830, and first located north of Mt. Pulaski, in what is now Logan county. In 1836 he came to De Witt, and located in Rutledge. He had a wife, Mary, and five children, two sons and three daughters. He remained here for some years, when he moved to Kansas. Thomas, a son of James, came with his father's family from Virginia, but was born in Tennessee. He is now residing in section 20, and is the next oldest settler, now living in the township. In 1841 he was married, and the following year he moved on the farm where he now resides. He has a family consisting of a wife, ]Mary, and five children, James H., D. F., Thomas M., Mary E., and George L. All reside in the county. Mr. Vandeventer has accumulated a competency for his old age, b^-ides aiding his children liberally in getting a start in the world. He is yet hale and hearty, and enjoying his old age on one of the best farms in the township. Peter Brickey came in 1840. and was then a single man. He was a native of Virginia. In 1842, he entered a tract of land in .section 36. He was afterwards three times married, and reared a family of twelve children. Mr. Brickey died in the full of 1877. Eight of the children are : living, and all but two reside in the ounty. In 1842, he hauled wheat to Chicago, and received but forty cents a bushel for it. What would the present generation think of carting their wheat over 100 miles to receive the meagre sum of but forty or fifty cents per bushel? Chicago then was but little larger than Clint n, and our informant says, there were but six houses on Grand Prairie on the road to Chicago.

The following are the first land entries made in Rutledge township: March 17th, 1834 William A. MePnerson entered the N. E. i of the S E. } of section 19. February 26th, 1835, J. Harp and A. Dail entered 161.30 acres in section 31. W. Palmer entered 35.9 acres in the same section, April 25th, 1835. J. Williams, July 24th, of the same year, entered the S- E. 1 of the X. E. V of section 19. August 17th, 1835, Nathan Britton entered the N. W.V of the N. E. 1 of same section. October 9th, 1835, W. Rutledge entered theW. 5 of the S. E. 1 of the same section. W. Deatherage, December 9th, 1835, entered forty acres in section 31. The first couple married was Jonathan Pearson to Rebecca

Vandeventer. The rites were solemnized at the house of the bride's father, James Vandeventer, by Thomas Toveara, a Methodist local preacher. The first death was the old lady Vincent, aud occurred in 1835. She was buried in the McCoril cemetery in De Witt township, near Fullerton Station. The first child born was, Martha J., a daughter of William and Eliza Rutledge, in 1835. She became the wife of Dennis Turner of this township, and died in 1S67.

The first and only cemetery in Rutledge, is located in section 31, and known as the Johnson burial ground. The first interment made was a daughter of Silas aud Elizabeth Johnson. This was in the fall of 1837. The cemetery includes a half acre of ground, and is kept in a condition befitting its use. There have been at least a hundred interments made here, and several good monuments adorn the grouuds

The first school was conducted by Robert H. Pool in 1839. The school-house was constructed of logs, and situated in the S. E. 1 of the N. E. I of section 19 on the land now owned by Esquire Dennis Turner. It had a puncheon floor, and split logs for seats. For windows it had a log cut out in one side of the house, and greased paper plastered over as a substitute for glass. The house was afterwards taken down and moved to section 20, where it was used for a stable by Mr. N. Helmick. No vestige of it now remains.

The first sermon was preached by the Rev. William Phearson, in 1S35, at his cabin in section 29. He was a local Baptist preacher. Among other early preachers were, Robert H. Pool, S. H. Martin, David White, and Archibald Johnson. The first three belonged to the M. E Church, and the latter was a Presbyterian. The only church building erected in the township has just been built, December, IbSl, and at this writing is not yet dedicated. It is situated near the town of Parnell in .section 34, and cost about 81,500. It is a neat frame structure of medium size, and has a spire that can be seen for miles away.

James Vandeventer was the first justice of the peace, and G. W. Waybright, Dennis Turner, S. M. Jones, and Thomas Vandeventer were among the first. The first to practice medicine was Patricus Moran. He then resided at Leroy in McLean county, and subsequently moved to Springfield. This was as early as 1835. Dr. Weldon and John Warner were also pioneer physicians. Capt. Field did the first blacksmithing in 1861. His shop was a plank shanty, and situated in section 19. He moved to Champaign county in 1S66. The shanty he used for a shop was afterwards fixed up with a floor, aud for a time was used for a dwelling. It was torn down several years ago. Another shop is now situated not far from the old one, and the business is conducted by Mr. M. Reynolds. The first milling wa5 done several miles away in other parts of the county, and to get a bushel or two of meal ground it would take, sometimes, three or four days to accomplish it. The mills were but small afl!"air3 at the best being situated some distance apart, it took some time to get at, little supply of grist.

The first goods were sold by John Nichols, sen., in 1858. His store was for a time kept in a part of his dwelling, and was situated in section zO. He afterwards built a little frame stc reroom on his premises, and added to his stock so that he could furnish the demand for a couutry store. He remained here until about 1868, when he moved to McLean county.

At this writing there is a country store situated in section 19, and kept by G. W. Lewis. From many favorable indications, it is thought that there are excellent coal beds underlying this township, and several efibrts have been made to verify the indi-

The first blooded stock was introduced by William Carew in 1842 They were the Durham breed, and imported from Ohio. The township at this time contains some of the best stock in the county. Among the prominent stock raisers are the heirs of William C. Swiney, Elihu Helraick, Daniel Fuller, and James Spratt.

The following persons have represented the township as members of the Board of Supervisors ; Jonathan Pearson was the first representative, and elected in 18.59. William Fuller was elected in 1860, and served until 1869. Peter Brickey elected in 1S69, and served four terras. James Vandeventer elected in 1874. W. O. Dav elected in 187-5, and served two terms. Daniel Fuller was elected in 1877. W. O. Day re-elected in 1878, and served two terms, being chairman of the Board for that time. E. Helmick elected in 1880. Franklin Vance elected in 1881, and is the present incumbent.

The township contains seven school-houses, six of which are frame, and one brick. The log cabins and puncheon floors of the olden time have long since passed away, which is one of the best evidences that the present inhabitants are keeping pace with the times, and are ready to endorse any improvement that may be a benefit to the rising generation or the Commonwealth of the state of Illinois.

Me. Kutledge was boru in White county, Illinois, June the 23d, 1816. Thomas Rutledge, his father, was a native of Georgia, where he married Miss Sarah Smith. Mr. Rutledge was of English and Irish descent.

He was a Ranger in the war of 1812, living in Kentucky at that time. Immediately after the war closed, he came to Illinois, and located in White county, where he lived until 1828. and then moved to what is now ]McLean county, where he died two years later, at the age of 62. He left a family of ten children and a wife, who survived him thirteen years. The subject of our sketch was next to the youngest child. He was at an age that he could just begin to make a hand when his father died. He assisted his mother on the farm until he was 19 years of age, when he was married to Miss Eliza Diiffield, who died three years later, leaving two children - jNIartha J., now deceased, and John A., who is a farmer of Rutledge township. Mr. Rutledge was again married January 17th, 1839, to Miss Mary Vandeventer, daughter cif Jacob Vandeventer, one of the early settlers of this section. She was born in Claybourn county, Tennessee, June the 2d, 1822. She is German and English on the paternal side, and Welch and Irish on the maternal. Mr. Rutledge has always followed farming. He settled on the place where he now lives in 1836, being among the first to settle in the township, and when the county went into township organization, the citizens honored him by giving the township his name. He has nearly seven hundred acres of land in this vicinity, fully half of which he entered from the government at 81-2.5 per acre. In politics he is a Democrat. Such is a brief sketch of one of the most respected old settlers of De Witt County.

Daniel Fuller

Among the successful agriculturalists and stockmen of De Witt county, stands prominently forward the name of Daniel Fuller, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1824, and the second in a family of eight sons.

His father and mother, Daniel and Nancy ( Whitlach) Fuller, were also natives of Pennsylvania ; and the subject of this sketch obtained his education in the district schools of that State- He worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, at which time he left for Ohio ; in that State he bought and fed stock for the eastern market ; driving his cattle and hogs when fattened to Pennsylvania. In this enterprise, however, he was not very successful. Finally, returning to his native state, he became the owner of a small farm, consisting of one hundred acres. Thinking he could succeed better farther west, he sold his farm for 8900, - and in company with his brothers, Barnett and David, came to De Witt county in 18-50. Their elder brother, William, having emigrated to Illinois some years before, was already occupying a farm in this county- Daniel Fuller did not at once settle upon a farm, but operated in the buying and selling of stock throughout the state ; finding a ready market for

In 18-50, (the year of his arrival in this state i, Mr. Fuller purchased one hundred and si.Kty acres of land, in section twenty of Rutledge township, where he now resides. He has since added to his original purchase, until he is now the fortunate possessor of 1400 acres of rich farming land ; 1030 acres of which is situated in Rutledge township, the balance in the neighboring county of McLean. Mr. Fuller has exercised good judgment in his selections, and has now the privilege of refusing as much as .S-50 per acre for portions of it.

In April, 18-5.5, Daniel Fuller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Foley, a native of Virginia, and daughter of G. L. and Elizabeth Foley, who came to De Witt county in 1848. By this marriage Mr. F. has a family of four children ; all living, viz. : John W. Fuller, born in 1856. Nancy M., (wife of James Vance). Louina, and Emma F. Fuller, the fii'st and last two named still residing with their parents.

Mr. Fuller has represented the township of Rutledge as supervisor. In politics he has always been a democrat, and cast his first vote for J. K. Polk.

, ARXETT is situate il in tlie central western part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Waynesville township, on the east by Clintonia and Wapella, on the south by Tunbridge, and wtst by Logan county. It conlains thirty->ix sections of excellent prairie land, there being no timber except a few groves situated along Ten Mile creek in the south-east. The western part of the township is quite rolling, sufficient to afford very good natural drainage, although tiling is being used to a large extent, especially in the eastern portion that is more level, and consequently wetter land. Ten-Mile creek just cuts across the south-east corner of section thirty-six. There are also a few small rivulets in the east and south, mainly flowing in a westerly direction. The Illinois Midland railway enters from the north in section six, crosses the entire township from north to south, and passes out in the southern center of section thirty-one. This road claims an indebtedness from the township of .8.30,000 A good deal of feeling and litigation have been the result. From this fact it has now been three years since the supervisor eirct would qualify ; hence, no process could be instituted against the citizens of the township. Some future historian must write the sequel. The Wabash Branch enters from the east on the section line between sections twenty-five and thirty-six, and takes a westerly course across the township and crosses into Logan county in the center of section thirty-one. A junction is formed with the Midland road in the center of said section. The township was named Barnett in honor of Franklin Barnett, he then being the oldest householder within its boundaries.

The tirst to take steps toward settling the township was Elisha Butler in the fall of 1829. He moved from Salt creek timber in Tunbridge township, and settled in section thirty-three. October 17th of the same year he entered the E. J of the S. E. 1 of the abo\'^ section. For a record of his early history, etc., see the township history of Tunbridge. He at once erected on his premises a pole cabin 14x16 feet, and moved into it. The following spring he proceeded to break a small patch of ground and planted it with corn. This was the first crop and the first farming done in Barnett. The same year he sold out his possessions to Mahlon Hall. The latter was a native of Virginia, but moved with his father's family to Kentucky when a mere boy. Here he married twice and lived until he was past the meridian of life. In the spring of 1830, he came to Illinois and entered the W. ~ of the S. E. i of section thirty-three, now Barnett township. At the same time, he bought out the property of Mr. Butler. He then returned to his family in Kentucky, and in the fall came to his new-found home bringing his family with him. The family consisted of his wife, Hannah, and six children, Henry, Polly Ann, James, Mahlon R , Jonathan R, and Susannah. They moved into the pole cabin constructed by Mr. Butler. The next fall Mr. Hall built a comfortable log house, and was thus well fixed for pioneer life. Several of the older children were left in Kentucky. Darius and Ambrose came to the state prior to their fiither, but settled in another county. They subsequently moved to this county. None of the family are now residing in the township. Mr. Hall remained here until his death, which occurred in 1856.

Another pioneer. Mason Paine, was born in Alabama, and migrated to Illinois at an early day, and settled in section thirtyfour, this township, in 1831. He had a wife and four children, two sons and two daughters. He lived but a few years after his coming, and was the first person buried in the old cemetery in section thirty-four, Clintouia township. None of the family reside here at this writing Franklin Barnett, from whom the township received its name, came from Bnirbon county, Kentucky, in the spring of 1831, and settled in the same section as ilr. Paine. He was then a single man, but afterwards married and reared a family. In 18-56 he migrated to Kansas, where he died only a few years ago. Robert Barnett, a brother of the former, came the year afterward - 1S32. He then had a wife and one child. He located in the same section as his brother. He died in 1864. His wife, Margaret, is yet living on the pioneer homestead. John Barnett, the father of the above, came here and entered land as early as 1831, for the use of his children, and afterward returned to his home in Kentucky. Here his wife died, and in 1845 he moved to the township to be with his children. He died in 1854. .James Barnett, another son, moved to the township the same year as his father. He had a familj' of a wife and one daughter, Sarah. He is yet residing at the old homestead in section thirty-four, a substantial farmer and a respected citizen.

Among other old settlers are Isaac Ellington, Z. D. Cantrall, A Jeffrey, John Pollock. Wiley Marvel, E. H. Robb and others. The former was a native of Ohio, and came with his father's family to the state in 1829. He is now residing, an old man in comfortable circumstances, in section sixteen. Mr. Cantrall is a native born, and lives in section ten. A Jeffrey was born in Indiana, and came to the county in 1836. He now resides in section fifteen. Mr. Pollock is a native of Ohio, and settled here in 1^39. He owns a good farm, where he resides, in section twentythree. Wiley Marvel is one of the descendants of Prettyman Marvel, the pioneer, and was born in the county in 1839. He is now living in section six, a good farmer and an enterprising citi-

History Of De Witt Coujty, Illixois

Although Barnett is not one of the oldest settled in the county, it is among the foremost in farm iraprovenieuts : and good farms, 'farm-houses, barns, etc., are to be seen on every hand. The soil is inexhaustible, and specially adapted to the raising of corn, which is the chief product- The people are an energetic, thrifty class, who by their efforts are determined to make it one of the wealthiest portions of De Witt county. The increase of population has been of a steady and healthy growth. For the last three decades it has been as follows : 1860, the population was 804 ; 1870, 1078; 1880, 1122. an increase of over three hundred within said time.

The first land entries made are as follows: October 17, 1829. Elisha Butler entered the E. ] of the S. E. } of section thirtythree. Mahlon Hall, March 6, 1830, entered the W. '- of the S. E. 1 of the same section. November 6, of the same year, Mason Paine entered the E. ; of theS. E. ] of section thirty-four. Same year, December 2, Solomon D. Spain entered the E. I of the S. W. i of section thirty-four. The following are all the entries made in 1831 : March lo, Joseph Bowles entered the X. E. 1 of the IST. W. 1 of section thirty-six. April 6, William Kincaid entered the W. h of tlie S. W. ! of section thirty-four. At the same date, Hiram Daniels entered the W. \ of the S. E. i of the same section. William J. and George W. Butler entered the W. i of the N. W. 1 of section thirty-five, April 25. June 14, John Barnett entered the E. 1 of the N. E. 1 of section thirtyfour. June 16, Franklin Barnett entered, in the same section, the W. ' of the X- W 1. James Farris, October 28, entered the E 4 of the X. W. S of section thirty-five.

The fiist marriage rite solemnized in the township was in the spring of 1832, by Hugh Bowles, a pioneer and Christian minister. The contracting parties were McCarty Hildredth and Eliza Hall. They were married in the log house of the bride's fiither, 'Mahlon Hall. The first born was Elisha Butler, junior, in the fall of 1830. He was the .son of Elisha Butler, senior, the first settler. Elisha, the younger, is yet living and is in Leadville, Colorado- The first death occurred in 1830, the deceased being George Bruner one of the pioneers who was then living in section twenty-five. He had a family, one of whom, Jacob, now resides in the county. The oldest place of interment is situated in section thirty-three, and was reserved for a private place of burial by Mahlon Hall in 1833. It was at this time that triplets were born to the first married couple, McCarty Hildredth and his wife Eliza The children were all born alive, but lived only a few hours. These were the first interred iu this burial ground. There are several private places of burial iu the township, but none that could be termed public cemeteries.

The first school was taught by William Lowrey in 1833 The house was a log cabin, and situated on the E. I of the S. E. 1 of section thirty-three. It was a small affair, 14x16 feet in size, just convenient in dimension for the teacher to stand in the middle of the floor, and with a hickory gad reach the refractory pupils in any part of the house. It must be remembered that in those days corporal punishment might be inflicted in the school-room for just cause, and there was no question raised but what the " master " had performed his duty- Xot that parents were more thoughtless of their children, than now, but a more perfect degree of confidence prevailed among the people- The teacher was usually one of the pioneei-s, known for miles around, and had the most complete confidence of his neighbors ; in fact, he was a sort of patriarch among them, and his wi.sdoni and authority no one presumed to question. Hugh Bowles and James K. Scott were the first preachers. At this time the few settlers of this township attended church services over iu Tunbridge at what was called the " Old Union-" The first church building constructed in Barnett was by the JI. E. Church denomination about 1855, and situated in section seventeen- It was a comfortable frame building of medium size, and is yet standing. Mason Paine was the first justice of the peace. Robert Barnett was also among one of the first The first to practice medicine was Henry M Goriu in the summer of 1832- He was originally from Missouri, and when he first came to the state he stopped at Decatur- From there he came to this township and practiced one season, when be returned to Missouri. \Vm. Reddick and Thomas Laughlan were also early physicians- The latter lived in Tunbridge township.

The first post-office was established in 1833, at the residence of Mahlon Hall, he being the postmaster. At that time, for the transmission of a letter 400 miles it cost twenty-five cents. X"o such thing was then known as an envelope. The letter was merely folded and stuck together with a wafer. B. Brown was the first mail carrier. The first person who had a kit of tools and did blacksmithing, was James Cadel. He came from Tennessee, and located in section 35. His shop was a pole shanty, and liis tools consisted of a wheezy old bellows, an anvil, a hammer and a pair of tongs. This was in 1835. The first mill was constructed by Mason Paine in 1S'.!3, and situated in section 34, on the land now owned by James Barnett. It was a " ouehorse " mill, with a capacity of grinding from ten to fifteen bushels of meal iu twenty four hours. To put it in the language of one of the pioneers : " It ground about as fast as a hound pup could eat it." The burrs were about two feet in diameter, and manufactured from the prairie boulders. John Brown, who came from X^ew Hampshire, had the honor of selling the first goods in the township, in the year 1839- The store-house was a small frame building, situated in section 29, on the premises now owned by John W. Wasson. Mr. Brown remained here but a short time, when he moved to Waynesville- The first blooded stock was introduced by John Barnett in 1845. They were of the short-horn Durham breed of cattle, and imported from Bourbon county, Kentucky. The present leading stock raisers are James Barnett, William Gambrel, Robert Black, and Prettyman Barr.

The following are the names of the supervisors who have represented the township since its organization : A. A. Eads was elected in 18-59, and served until 1862, and was Chairman of the Board during the year 1861. J. R. Hall elected in 1862, and served one terra. William ^larrow elected in 1863 Eli HRobb in 1864- William Marrow re-elected in 1865, served one term. John Bartley was elected in 1866. J. M. Maddox elected in 1867. Thomas Maddox elected iu 1868. William Gambrel elected in 1869. A A. Eads was re-elected in 1870, and served until l'<74. He was Chairman of the Board for the year 1870. Z- D- Cantrall elected in 1874, and served two terms J. E Bradley elected in 1876. X. M. Barnett was elected in 1877, and served two terms Lyman Barnett was elected in 1879, and is the last representative from this township Since which time thesupervisorselected have refused to qualify for reasons already given in this chapter.

is situated at the junction of the Illinois Midland Railway and the branch of the Wabash, in the center of section 31. It was laid out and platted in the interest of Robert Black in 1875, and was first named Dunham, and subsequentl)' changed to Midland City. The Midland Railway Company wereiu favor of the town retaining its original name, but Mr. Black succeeded in carrying the day; hence the old sign " Dunham," at the depot, was taken down and that of "Midland City " substituted.

The first house was constructed by G. W. Middlecoft" in the spring of 1875. It was a frame building, one story high, and 4i) xoO feet on the ground, and .situated on the south side of the now principal street. It contained two rooms, one being used for groceries and the other for hardware. Mr. Middlecoff. prior to this, bought corn, and sold coal and lumber at this point. The same vear, E. Fawcett erected a frame building, and engaged in the grocery business besides handling corn, coal and lumber. The post-o£Hce was established the same season, and John A. Zambro wa.s the postmaster. He was then a partner of Middlecoft'. and the mail was distributed in the business house of this firm. One addition has since been made to the town, entitled the " Jones' addition," belonging to the Jones' heirs. The town at this writing has a population of l'-'30. The following is the present business: Heissermanife Hill's wagon and carriage factory. This industry was established by the above firm in the spring of 1881, and is situated on the corner of East Second street, fronting Spruce. The factory is a frame building, two stories high, and 24x44 feet in size, besides an addition 16.xl8 feet. It is run by a ten-horse power engine, and gives employment to five men. The annual value of manufactured product is estimated at §3,000-

Warehouse, owned and operated by Seth Turner. This building is a frame .structure, two stories in height, and is situated on the switch of the Illinois Midland Railroad ; it was constructed in 1876 at a cost of 81,200. It has five dumps, with convenient driveways, and a capacity of storing 9,000 bushels of grain, besides cribs detached capable of holding 30,0il0 bushels of corn.

two stories in height, and is adorned with a cupola and bell, and cost S2,200. It contains two rooms, and is thus partially graded, and has an attendance of about 75 pupils. The rooms are sup- ]ilied with the latest improved furniture, while the grounds are ample for the convenience of the scholars for a play-ground. There is also one neat little church building. It belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, and is conveniently prepared for church services.

is situated on what was formerly the Champaign, Lincoln and Havana Railroad, now a branch of the Wabash road, and in the north-east corner of section 33. It was laid out by Jonathan Hall in 1871. The first house in town was moved from Tunbridge township by John O. Dee in the fall of 1871 It was a little frame house u-ed for a dwelling, and was located in block 1 0, lots 1 , 2, and 3. At the same time Mr. Dee moved his blacksmith shop to this point, and it was, therefore, the first shop in the town. It was afterwards taken to Midland City, and is now used for the same purpose by C. C- Colwell at that place. The second dwelling was that of W. O. Rogers, about the same time. Jlr. Rogers moved it here from his father-in-law's farm, John Bartley, and the December following improved it by building an addition. The first store-house was commenced in the fall of 1871, and completed the following spring. It was a frame building, one story, and constructed by Hall & Deland, and situated in block 8, lot 1. Their merchandise consisted of a general stock, suitable for a country store. It was destroyed by fire in 1875. The post-ofiice was established in 1871, with W. O. Rogers as postmaster ; he is the present incumbent. The first person to practice medicine was Dr. James JIartiu, in the fall of 1871. He remained about three years, when he moved to Kansas. The town at this writing contains about 60 inhabitants, with the following business :

The first and only hotel was built by W. T. Hunter in the summer of 1873. It is a two story frame building with a wing, and situated in block 5. It is now occupied for a dwelling by Dr. W. T. Ward.

The County Poor-farm is situated in this township, joining the town of Hallsville on the north-west. William Jloore is the present efficient poor-master, and has served in this capacity for the last three years, and has been reappointed by the Board to fill the position for the ensuing year. At this writing. December, 1881, it contains 25 paupers, and is said to be the best managed countyhouse in Central Illinois

Was born in Bourbon County, Ky., September 9th, 1836. The family were originally from Virgina. His father, John Rogers, was born in Kentucky, in 1800. He died in the same state in ISiw. He was a minister in the Christian Church, and a co- ' worker with Rev. B. W. Stone and Alexander Campbell, the pioneers of the Christian Church in America. He married Elender Hildreth, of Bourbon County, Ky. She died in 1838 He afterwards married Mildred Adair, who was of a Virginian family. By his first marriage there were eight children, of which the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. He was raised in Baurbon County, Ky. In his youth he learned the saddlery and harness trade. In the fall of 1856 he came to Logan County, 111., and worked upon a farm. Two years later he returned to Kentucky. In 1859 he made arrangements to take a company of men to Pike's Peak, liut after arriving at Fort Laramie on the Platte river, concluded to abandon the enterprise, and returned home. On his return he stopped in Clinton, in De Witt County, and fouud work in a general store, clerked for one year, tiien returned to Kentucky, and in August 1861 he enlisted for three years in Cj. " L," of the 4th Illinois Cavalry. The company was raised in Dj Witt and McLean Counties The 4th was placed under the command of Gen. Grant, and assisted in the capture of Fort Donelson, was also in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and first battle of Corinth They were stationed at Trenton, Tenne.ssee, from there went to Humboldt, and were with Grant on the Hatchie river campaign, and iu the battle of Coffeevilln, where the regiment lost. Col. McCoUough in the fight In the summer of 1863 the command did picket duty, and guarded lines of railroads in Tennessee. In the fall went to Vicksburg and were sent out on the Black river, and in December went to Xatchez, Miss , where they remained until expiration of service. Iu November 18C1 Mr. Rogers returned to Clinton, and in spring of 1865 eugaged in farming iu Barnett Township. In the spring of 1866 moved to Tazewell County, and farmed three years, then returned to his father in-law and farmed two years In 1872 he moved to Hallsville and built a dwelling-house, which was soon after burned down. He sold the first g.i i is iu the town, and was the first Postmaster, and still cjntinu.'* in that capacity. Mr. Rogers conducted the mercantile busiue-* fir Messrs. Deland & Hall. In 1874, he in connection with J. C. Humphrej's, started in the general raerchmdising business Six mouths later he sold out to Humphreys, but clerked for him for two years. He then went into business for himself, in which he still continues. On the 24th of August, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Bartley, a native of Madison County, Ohio, daughter of John anil Nancy Bartley, who settled in De Witt County in 1S49. Three children were born to them, named Minnie W John and Maud Rogers. His wife and daughters are members of the Christian Church. Heisa memberof A. F. A. M. He has always voted the Republican ticket. Iu 1878 he was elected Justice of the Peace to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Srinire Faucett. and held the scales of justice impartially until the end of his term in 1881. 31f>

George W. Griner

The Griner famijy on the paternal side are of German ancestry. James Griner, the great-grandfather of the present family, emigrated from Germany to America prior to the Revolutionary war. While on his passage across the ocean both parents died. He settled in New Jersey, and during the war for Independence was a captain in the service. He emigrated to Indiana soon after that state was admitted into the Union, and there died at the great age of one hundred and ten years. Charles, his son and grandfather of George W., was born in New Jersey. He came West to Indiana, where his parents were living, iu 1 837, and there died He had two sons, William and Peter. George W. is the son of William, who married Margaret Brooks, a native of New Jersey, and she died iu 1837. By that marriage there were three sons and two daughters. George W. is the youngest of the family. He wa.s born iu New Jersey, June 22d, 1835. He lived in Indiana with his father and family from 1837 until 1853, when he was in his nineteenth year. He then came to De Witt County, Illinois, and here he stopped with his brother-in-law, and worked on a farm. Soon after went to work on a saw-mill, lie continued to work around until March, 1856, when he moved to a forty acre tract of land in section thirty-one in Barnett Township, and there he has lived to the present. The land was raw and unimproved, and all of the improvements now on it were put there by Mr. Griner. A view of the place can be seen by reference to another page in this work. On the 25th of November, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of George Coppenberger, a native of Tennessee, and one of the first settlers of De Witt County He settled on Salt Creek about the year 1825. George Coppenberger married Nancy Henderson, who was a native of Kentucky, and also among the early settlers of De Witt County. Mrs. Griner was born on Salt Creek, in Tunbridge Town.-hip, De Witt County, May 2Sth, 1835. By her marriage with George W. Griner, there are six children living. Their names in the order of their birth are, Rachel Jane, born May 22d, 1857, and is the wife of James A. Trowbridge, Charles W. died in infancy, Nancy A., born October 14th, 1S60, is the wile of George E Kimball, a farmer in Barnett Township George B., born July 16th, 1863, Olive M , born May 29th, 1.S66, May W., born April 16th, 1870, Myrtie, born July 1st, 1S74. Both Mr. and Mrs. Griner are members of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Griner has been a Democrat since 1856, when he cast his first presidential vote for James BuchauKn. He is not, however, a politician, and takes no further interest in politics than to express his opinion through the right of surt'rage. Mr. Griner has been remarkably successful in life. He started poor, and had nothing but health and strength, and aodetermination to rise, and he was above depending upon others. With that idea in view, and assisted by his estimable wife, he has succeeded in gaining a competency, and at the same time has built up a reputation as a fair, honest and honorable man, which is far better, and brings more pure enjoyment than great riches.

The preseut efficient and capable .Siiperintentleut of the County Farm and Alms-house, was born in Virginia, Loudoun county, December 25th, 1831. On both the paternal and maternal sides the ancestry is Irish. His grandfather, Peter Moore, was a native of the same State. He married Hannah Ewers. Of that marriage was Mason Ewers Moore, the father of William M. He was born in Loudoun county, Va.,iu 1801. He emigrated to Ohio in 18.39, and settled in Morgan county, and there died in Sept., 1847. He married Margaret Ann Adams, who was born in the same county in Virginia, in 1803. She was of Irish parentage on her father's side. Her father, Henry Adams, came to America while yet young anil died in Virginia. Mrs. Moore came to Illinois in 185S, and settled in Texas township, in De Witt county, in 1860, where she still resides. William M. is the third in a family of four .sons and three daughters. His education in his youth was of a limited character. He remained at home until after attaining his majority. In 1853 he raised a crop of tobacco, and in the winter following worked iu a warehouse, and the next spring went to Indiana, and in the fall returned to Ohio. On the 14th of February, 1855, he married Miss Hannah Wright, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 1st, 1834. Her parents, Ira and Jane Wright, were natives of Vermont. Her mother was of Irish parentage. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Moore came to Illinois, landing in De Witt county, May 9th of that year. He settled iu Creek township, and engaged in farming. In 1863 he removed to Texas township, and farmed and operated in stock business, in connection with Robert JIagill, in which he continued until 1871. In 1872 he went to Colorado, but soon returned, and then gave his attention to farming and stock-raising until Jan. 1st, 1879, when he was appointed to the position he now holds. It can be truly said of him that, as Superintendent of the Poor Farm, he has brought the institution up to be self-supporting, and is most certainly the right man for the right place. Politically, Mr. Moore has always been an unswerving, uncompromising democrat of many years' standing. While a resident of Texas township, he represented the people in the Board of Supervisors for two terms. He also held other offices of local trust, and was Deputy Sheriff for four years. In matters of religion he is liberal. By his marriage with Hannah Wright there are four children to hallow and bless the union. Their names, in the order of their birth, are : Franklin M., Lucy J., Humphrey A., and William Merton Moore. All are yet at home. He is a member of I. O. O. F., and belongs to INIaroa Lodge, No. 314. Mr. Moore belongs to the positive order of men, and is outspoken and free in his manners. No one is left long in doubt upon any question upon which his opinion is desired. He is of a generous nature and lively disposition, kind and affectionate in his nature, and a hospitable man in his home.