History of Tazewell county, Illinois ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of state laws online

of twenty-five cents to the Registrar, each ai)plicant secured the
registration of his claim, and the right to buy the land he had im-
proved, when it came into the market. This gave a value to the
lands in the hands of the holder, and also enabled the person mak-
ing the claim to sell and transfer it if so desired. Rough and rude
though the surroundings of these pioneers may have been, they
were none the less honest, sincere, hospitable, and kind in their
social relations. It is true, as a rule, there is a greater degree of
peal humanity among the early pilgrims of any new country, than



672 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

there is when the country becomes older and richer. If there is an
absence of refinement, it is more than compensated for in the pres-
ence of generous hearts and truthful lives. They are void of hy-
pocrisy themselves, and despise it in others. They hate cowardice
and sham of all kinds, and maintain and cultivate a sterling integ-
rity and fixedness of purpose, that seldom permits them to prostitute
themselves to any narrow policy or artifice. Such were the character-
istics of the men and women who pioneered the way to the township
of Washington. Those who visited them in their cabins in a social
capacity, or settled among them as real occupants of the soil, were
always welcome as long as they proved themselves true men and
women. The stranger, who came among them and claimed shelter
and food, was made as welcome as one of the household. To tender
them pay in return for their hospitality, was only to insult the bet-
ter feelings of their nature. If a neighbor fell sick and needed care
and attention, the whole neighborhood was interested. If a cabin
was to be raised, every man turned out, and oftentimes the women,
too, and while the men piled the logs that fashioned the primitive
dwelling place, the women prepared the dinner. Sometimes it was
cooked by camp fires at the site where the cabin was building. If
one neighbor killed a pig or a deer, every other family was sure to
receive a piece of it, and a welcome remembrance it often proved.
One of the few remaining pioneer settlers remarked : " In those
days we were neighborly in a true sense. We were all on equality.
AVhat one had, we all had. Aristocratic feelings were unknown,
and that was the happiest period of my life. But to-day, if you
lean against a neighbor's shade-tree, he will charge you for it. If
you are poor and happen to fall sick, you may lie and sufter almost
unattended, or go the poor-house, and just as like as not, the man
who would report you to the authorities as a subject for county care,
would charge the county for making the report." This declaration
was not made because the facts exist as he put them, but to show
the contrast between the feelings and practices of the pioneers of
fifty years ago, and the people of the present.

At a special election held on the 2d of March, 1878, to vote for
or against organizing under the General Law, which was carried by
a majority of eighty-three votes. The following city officers were
elected on the 16th of April, 1878: Mayor, Peter Fifer; City Clerk,
Eli E. Heiple ; City Attorney, J. W. Dougherty ; City Treasurer,
T. C. Sonnemann ; Meml^er Board of Supervisors, W. B. Hervey ;
Aldermen — 1st Ward, Henry Mahle and D. J. Chaffer; 2d Ward,
Lawson Holland and Henry Denhart ; 3d Ward, Ernst E,app and
James Cameron. The first City Council met April 18, 1878.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

The present business interests of Washington embrace the follow-
ing firms : Banking and Exchange, A. H. Danforth, son of A. G.
Danforth, who commenced banking in this city at an early day, and



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 673

retired from active business pursuits in 1871. This was the first
bank in the city. Anthony & Denhart formed a partnership in '66,
and a few years later opened their handsome brick banking house,
where they do a general exchange business. Kingsbury & Snyder,
G. R. Hornish, Gibson & Parker, and the Stormen Brothers are all
heavy dealers in Groceries and control a large trade. The Dry
Goods business is represented by L. S. North, Anthony & Denhart,
and E. E. Hornish, all enjoying a lucrative trade. Heiplc & Port-
man, both honored sons of Eli Heiple and Peter Portman, and pre-
senting the dash of business qualifications, are doing an extensive
business in Clothing and Gents' Furnishing Goods. T. C. Sonne-
mann, who erected the fine store he now occupies, in 1870, controls
the bulk of trade in the Hardware business. Lewis Tobias & Son
also have a small stock of hardware, but deal considerably in stoves.
Israel Zinser and A. Alphonso, Druggists, are both doing a pros-
perous trade. The Zinser Brothers are extensive dealers in Stoves
and Hardware, and occupy the oldest business premises in the city.
The daily and weekly papers may be found at the post-office. Chas.
A. Crane, Postmaster, is a social man and always at his post of duty.
Jas. A. Crane has an office in the same building, and carries on a
general Brokerage. Mrs. Ho]ikins responds to the call for spring
and winter bonnets, and supplies the trade in Millinery. William
F. Roehm is an enterprising German in the Boot and Shoe trade.
Eli E. Heiple, Peter Fifer and Henry Mahle are extensive dealers
in Grain and Produce. J. W. Dougherty, educated under his own
tuition, and tiirough his energy and perseverance, has represented
Washington city as Attorney for several years. Henry Harms has a
Meat Market on North Main street. Uncle Jacob Wilson repre-
sents the Livery business, and George F. Tobias is a rising young
merchant in the Furniture business. Flour and Feed, James Keyes.
Harness and Saddlery, Benjamin Frederick.

Wagon Manufactories. — Boss & Zinser both early settlers, are
engaged in this business on north side of Commercial S(piare. Wm.
H. Long, M. R. Brady, and Benjamin Tobias; the last named com-
menced the manufacturing of plows in this city in 18oo. Has for
some years been engaged in wagon manufacturing, and his work has
a good reputation.

Milling Interests. — The flouring-mill erected by A. G. Danforth
in 1845 is being successfully operated by the Andrews Bros. John
Watson, Jr., is proprietor of the Tazewell County Mill.

The Siierman House was built in 1835 by Stiles and Titus Hun-
gerford, and run by them until 1839, when Thomas Cress rented
and assnmed the proprietorshij) fi)r one year. It was afterwards
opened by the widow of Titus Hungerford, who died in 1846. In
1854 the building was sold to a man named Robinson, whose career
as a hotel proprietor prpved quite a success. It subsequently be-
came the property of a company and passed into the hands of Elias
Benford, who rented the premises and conducted a successful busi-



674 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

ness for some years, and retired from public life after the purchase
of the building. In 1878 it was occupied by its present proprietor,
John W. Patton, a native of Somerset Co., Penn. Although the
edifice is one of the oldest frame buildings in the city, and does not
present an inviting appearance Avithout, it is neat, clean and tidy
within, and in keeping with the standard of a first-class hotel.
Patton is a veritable joker, a good talker, and if not overtaken by
sickness or disease will not be old at ninety.

WASHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

During the school year of '78— '79, nine teachers were employed
at an annual expense of about $3,000, and the number of pupils
enrolled in the schools was 419. The schools are all in one build-
ing — a substantial two-story brick edifice, recently built at a cost
of about $20,000, and supplied with all the modern improvements
in the way of heating, ventilation, furniture, etc. The school work
is done in the high school and seven subordinate grades. The high
school is in charge of the Principal, R. McCay, assisted by his wife,
and the teachers of the other grades are, in the grammar room, Mr.
J. R. Morse ; third intermediate, Mr. S. F. Corley ; second inter-
mediate. Miss Latiua Patrick ; first intermediate. Miss Mary Rich ;
third primary. Miss Carrie Schultz; second primary. Miss Mary
Italin ; first primary. Miss Clara V. Crane.

Robert 3IcCay, Principal of Washington schools, was born in
McLean county, 111., Jan. 13, 1852. At the age of eight his perents
removed to Macon county, where his mother died shortly afterwards.
He remained upon a farm with his father until sixteen, when he was
sent to school three years at Bloomington, 111., during which time
he prepared himself for college. Being deprived at this time, by
death, of the assistance and encouragement of his father ; at the age
of nineteen he entered upon the work of teaching, in order that he
might obtain funds with which to go to college. Thus, by teaching
in winter and working as a farm-hand in summer, he was enabled to
go to college, where he completed the classical course of the Wes-
leyan University in 1877. In 1878 he was married to Miss M. H.
White, of Bloomington, who acted as his high school assistant the
following year. He has held his present position since graduating.

G. P. Wood has for some years conducted a select school in this
city.

POTTAWATOMIES.

This tribe of Indians was the largest of three tribes that were
located in this section, and had conquered the Sugars and Kickapoos.
They were all settled under Snatchwine, the Chief of the Pottawato-
mies. He was honored and loved by all the braves of these tribes ;
his word was law, and his presence and council always sought in
times of disturbance or trouble. Among the whites he was gener-



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 675

ally honored and respected. To them he always extended the hand
of welcome, and the futtcd deer of the forest was brought to their
door in token of good will. The peculiar habits of these time-
honored natives were naturally a deep curiosity to the whites, and
from the well-stored memory of Lawson Holland Ave were enabled
to gather some facts and incidents which we place upon the records
of this work, knowing that only a few years could pass ere they
would have been lost in the debris of time.

Gathering Turtles. The preparations incident to this journey are
somewhat extended. Two horses are placed side by side, and a
blanket stretched between them, and the party start for the streams.
The turtles are thrown in this blanket, and when a full load is
secured they are carried to the camp, and a large kettle tilled with
water is placed over the fire, and in the boiling cliauldron the living
turtles are thrown, until the kettle is filled. When thoroughly
boiled, the meat is plucked from the shell and eaten.

Tradition. A tradition which has existed among the Pottawato-
mies for ages, is, that at a certain time of the year, a deer must be
killed and eaten without breaking a single bone. This performance
is entered into largely, and the greatest caution taken to secure the
animal without a l)oue being broken. It is then roasted, and the
meat eaten with the greatest possible care. The remains are then
gathered up, placed in the skin of the animal and buried.

Punishment for Adultery. The punishment for adultery is cutting
oif the nose; the first offense being j)unishable by a small piece, the
second a larger one, and the third cuts it to the bone. These are
rare cases, however, both sexes having a high regard for purity and
virtue.

Marriage. In marriage the women promise to do all the work,
such as skinning animals, dressing hides, building tents, and per-
forming all the manual lal)or, the males only furnishing the necessi-
ties of life. The marriage covenant is made by the exchange of
corn for a deer's foot by the parties to be united, and is a time of
great solemnity.

Ornamental Wealth is indicated by piercing the nose and ears,
from which hang large rings and bells ; also bells attached to a strap
bound around the leg or ankle.

Their Dead. In the winter the dead are entombed by standing
the body upright, around which is ])laced poles run in the earth.

At one time Avhen ]Mr. Holland's wife was washing, a squaw
entered the cabin and interrupted her in her work. She had just
put a kettle of boiling water in a tub, and in passing, the squaw fell
or sat in the tub of hot suds. Her cries called the braves, who lifted
her out and carried her to the wigwam.

One day, when Lawson was a boy, and while the family were at
dinner, and a Frenchman, named Louey, who was stopping with
them, had finished his meal, lighted his pipe, and was leisurely
smoking outside the cabin, a stalwart Indian came down the trail



676 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

and demanded his pipe, which was refused. The Indian then drew

his tomahawk and drove it into his skull. Holland and old man

Avery, who was there at the time, rushed from the cabin, and Avery

grappled with the redskin. He sounded the war-whoop, and in a

twinkling the little band of whites were surrounded by hundreds

of the swarthy tribe. The Chief, taking in the situation, drew his

war-club and struck at Avery with this deadly weapon, but Avery's

quick eye dodged the blow, and the instrument was buried in a

large tree behind him. It was a j)erilous moment and there seemed

to be no earthly escape for this little band of pioneers, but Holland

was regarded as a friend, and his counsel was at all times sought.

The Indians then had a war-dance, and returned to their camps,

and peace and quietness was again restored. This occurred in 1822.

Snatch wine, the Chief of the Pottawatomies, in about 1823,

found out the whites were becoming alarmed, and called a council

with the whites, to talk. He spoke about four hours. He began his

history back to old "Kentuck." He said: " When you palefaces

came to our country we took you in and treated you like brothers.

We furnished you with corn and gave you meat that we killed, but

you palefaces soon became numerous and began to trample upon our

rights, which we attempted to resist, but was whipped and driven

off. This is retui'ning evil for good. The graves of my forefathers

are just as dear to me as yours, and had I the power 1 'd wipe you

from the face of the earth. I have 800 good warriors, besides many

old men and boys, that could be put in a fight, but this takes up a

remnant of these tribes since the last war. I believe I could raise

enough braves, and taking you by surprise, could clean the State.

I know I could go below your capital and take everything clean.

But what then? We must all die in time. You would kill us all

off. You tell me that you have forbidden your men to sell whisky.

You enforce these laws and I stand pledged for any depredation my

people shall commit. But you allow your men to come with whisky

and trinkets and get them drunk and cheat them out of all their

guns and skins and all their blankets, that the Government pays me

yearly for this land. This leaves us in a starving freezing conditon

and we are raising only a few cliildren compared to what we raised

in old Kentuck, before we knew the palefaces. Some of my men

say in our consultations, let us rise and wipe the palefaces from the

face of the earth. I tell them no, the palefaces are too numerous.

I can take every man, woman and child I 've got and place them in

the hollow of my hand and hold them out at arm's length. But

when I want to count you palefaces I must go out in the big prairie,

where timber ain't in sight, and count the spears of grass, and I

havn't then told your numbers." Mr. Holland knew this Chief for

ten years. He was a large stalwart man, and always sorrowful.

He said : " When you make my men drunk, my men are just as big

fools as your men when they are drunk. But when sober, I say

come, and they come, and I say go, and they go."



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL, COUNTY. 677

Washingtou city and township are settled by a cultured, refined
and wealthy community, many of whom deserve personal notices in
this volume, which we append :

Alfred Alphonso, druggist and proprietor Academy of Music, was
born in Berlin, Germany, in 1835, and received his early education
at the medical university of that city ; emigrated to America in
1861, and settled in Chicago, where he followed his profession. In
1863 he enlisted as Acting Surgeon in the 17th Illinois Cavalry,
and served one year, and returned to Chicago. The following year
he married Miss Susan Cassen, a native of Baden, Germany, where
she was born in in 1846. After a residence of eight years in Kane
Co., he moved to Ottawa, 111., where he resided until 1875, when he
settled in this city and opened a small drug store, now occu})icd by
Dr. Wood. By strict attention to business he was enabled, in 1877,
to erect the Washington Academy of Music, and became extensively
engaged in the music trade, and has, in a masterly manner, made an
entire success.* Edwin, born June 16, '68; Clara, Jan. 11, '7U; and
Ida, June 1, '72, are his living children.

Margaret Aubray, residence Elm street, Washington, widow of
Frederick W. Aubray, a native of England, who emigrated to
America at an early age, and settled in Deer Creek townshij), in
1848, where he engaged in farming and mercantile pursuit, and
entered largely into the interests and development of the township ;
was prominent. in all the enterprises pertaining to its growth, and
successful in all his business transactions. Through his energy and
perseverance he accumulated a large landed property ; was called
from the held of life just when in the enjoyment of his home. He
died in August, 1872, beloved and respected by a large circle of
friends and relatives.

John. H. Ant/ioni/, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Washington; born in
Shelburn, Vermont, in 1820, and emigrated to this county witii his
widowed mother, two brothers and one sister, in the fall of 1 837,
settling in this city, and with strong hands and willing heart com-
menced the struggle of life. Sagacious, industrious and frugal, he
was enabled, in 1843, to purchase 80 acres of his present estate, and
in 1846 he became engaged with a house at Peoria, and traveled
extensively through all the Southern and Western States, establish-
ing agencies for the sale of })atent medicines, and in 1852, connected
himself in business witii his brotiier, Charles S. M. Anthony, at
Washington, but continued traveling until his brother's death, in
1857, when he assumed control of the business, and formed a part-
nership with Wm. Ross, in keeping a general stock and hardware.
He engaged extensively in the manufacture of tin ware, with which
the surrounding country was supplied. In the spring of 1858 he
sold his interest to Lewis Tobias, and moved on his present estate,
now consisting of 400 acres, valued at $65 per acre; also 130 acres
southwest of the city. The same year he married Catherine Keys,
a native of Michigan, by whom he has four children — John A.,



678 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

Charles H., Mark and Kate. In 1857 he was elected Justice of the
Peace for one year, to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of his
brother. In 1871 he was elected Supervisor, and has been the
people's choice for that office every year since ; he was also elected
a member of the State Board of Equalization, in 1876, and is prom-
inently known throughout the county. Mr. A. is in every respect
a self-made man ; with indomitable energy and tireless industry and
courage, he acquired wealth. He has for years been Trustee in the
Methodist Church, of which the family are members.

Emih/ 31. Baird, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Washington; widow of
Thomas Baird, Jr., who was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1812.
Her maiden name was Haynes, and she was born in Sharp's Mills,
Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1816. They were married in 1838, and came
to this county in 1844, and settled on the present estate, then owned
by Father Baird. Mr. B. resided here until his death, in 1859, when
he was killed at South Bend, Ind., by a railroad accident, which cast
a feeling of gloom and sorrow over the whole community. He was a
man beloved and respected by all who knew him, and numbered
among those of the early settlers. Mary L., Sarah R., Senith A.,
Martha C, Thomas P., and George S. R. D. are their living children.
^Squire Baker, farmer, sees. 14 and 15 ; P. O., Washington ; born
in Campbell Co., Ky.^in 1813. His parents were Nicholas and Su-
sanah (Carroll) Baker, natives of Penn. and Va. He married Eliza-
beth Clark, in 1836; she was born in Campbell Co., Ky., in 1815.
They came to this county in 1837 and settled on his present estate,
consisting of 80 acres, valued at -$75 per acre, which he bought with
script. His father came to this county in 1856, and died in 1875.
The family were among those of the early settlers, and experienced
all the hardships of pioneer life. John J., William C, George W.,
Benjamin F., Thomas L., Robert W., Elizabeth C, Edward S.,
Lill'ie, Stephen A., and Alfred are their living children.

George Bayler, farmer, sec., 36; P. O., Washington; born in
York Co., Pa., in '18. His parents were John and Catherine (Kuhn)
Bayler, natives of Pa., where his fiither died when he was 12 years
of age. He came to the West in 1841 with his mother, and settled
two miles west of their present place, where he resided 11 years.
In 1845 he was united to Miss Elizabeth Franklin, a native of Frank-
lin Co., O., where she was born in 1823; moved on his present
estate in 1853. It consists of 140 acres valued at |70 per acre.
T^Ir. B. is one of the early settlers and well known throughout the
Co. Alfred P. and Joseph E., are their living children.

JoHcph J. Bayler, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 36 ; P. O., Wash-
ington; born in Washington, 111., in 1849; married Lillie Yoor-
hees, in 1876. She was born in La Salle Co., 111., in 1857 ; they have
two children — Theodore and Celia; settled cm his present estate in
1876. Mr. B. has for years been extensively engaged in taming
and training horses, of which he has a fine stock and is successful
in the business. He is a son of one of the oldest settlers.



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 679

Joseph BcU'Iii, farmer, sec. 7 ; P. O., AVashiiigton ; })orn in Wood-
ford Co. in 1842. His parents were John and Barbara (Ragy) Bels-
ly, natives of France. They settled in Woodford Co. at an early
day, where Mr. B. died in 1 855, His motlier is still living at a
good old age. In 18G-1 he married Miss Susan Imhotf, a native of
Butler Co., where she was born in 1842; came to this Co. in the
spring of 1878 and settled on his present estate, consisting of 100
acres. Mary, John, Barbara, Bena, Annie, Katie, Louisa and Peter
are their living children ; are members of the Omish Church.

Elias Benford, retired, born in Stark Co., O., in 1819. His
l)arents were F. Henry and ISIagley Stael, natives of Pa., both
deceased; married Lavenia Snyder in 1843. She was born in Som-
erset Co., > Pa., in 1825; emigrated to this Co. in 1868 and settled
in this city, where he engaged in the livery business, and in 1870
became the proprietor of the Sherman iiouse, which he conducted
with success and purchased it, retiring from the active pursuits of life
in 1878. Julia, Arminta, Sophia K., Cyrus I., John H., Franklin
A. and Hattie M., are their living children; lost three children —
Jacob, Mary M., and one that died in infancy. He is a member of
the English Lutheran Church.

Walter T. Berket, farmer, sec. 26 ; P. O., Washington ; born in
Lancaster Co., England, in 1792, and in 1817 emigrated to America
and settled in A'ermont, where he resided 12 years, when he started
for the AVest, making his first stop at Fort Clark, in 1831, where
he remained only a short time, when he came to this township and
settled on his present estate, and erected the first frame-house built in
the township. Mr. B, was married in 1833 to Miss Dorothy ^\"eth-
erell, a native of England, who died in 1856, leaving one child,
Walter, Jr., who was born in this township in 1841, and was mar-
ried Sept. 19, 1878, to Miss Mary Beman, a native of London, Eng.,
where she was born Dec. 25, 1842, and is daughter of Jeremiah and
Susan Beman, who were banislied from I'russia and found a home
in the broad land of the free, and number among those of the county
pilgrims. Mr. B. has always clung to his pioneer home, and is the
oldest man in the township. A previous record predicted his early
demise, but, though in the 88th year of his age, his eye is sharp at
long range, and it was the pleasure of the writer to accompany his
elastic footsteps to a row of apple trees which he set out in 1832,
all of which are in a fine state of preservation, and have grown to