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A CENTENNIAL ADDRESS (Partial)
Delivered by HON. WILLIAM A. GRIMSHAW at Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois July 4 1876
This county, once embracing the fairest portions of the Eden-like State of Illinois, yet retaining in her Limits land beautiful to look upon, desirable to inhabit and famed far her fair daughters, her gallant sons, prosperous farmers and mechanics, able professional men and legislators,
her present territory equal yet almost to some of the old thirteen states, owes much if not all of thin to the patriotism and foresight of the Revolutionary fathers.
Contemplate the vastness of Pike county, as she was, when organized by the act of the Legislature of 1821 in these words:
AN ACT TO FORM A NEW COUNTY ON THE BOUNTY LANDS-- APPROVED JANUARY 31, 1821.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois. represented in the general assembly, That all that tract of country within tile following boundaries, to-wit: beginning at the mouth of the Illinois river and running thence up the middle of said river to the fork of the name, thence up the south fork of said river until it strikes the state line of Indiana, thence north with said line to the north boundary line of this state, thence nest with said line to the west boundary line of this state and thence with said line to the place of beginning, shall constitute a separate county, to be called Pike.
"Oh Christ! it is a delicious sight to see,
What heaven hath done for this delicious land
That fruits of fragrance blush on every tree;
What goodly prospects o'er the hills expand."
To repeat the extent of the boundaries. On the south, begin at the junction of the Illinois .Ind Mississippi rivers, thence follow the Illinois to the fork of the same, meaning the Kankakee, thence to the line of the state of Indiana, thence North and West embracing the territory front Chicago, following on the line of Wisconsin to the Mississippi river, including the famed lead mines of Galena, and to the channel of the Mississippi, thence descending to the place of beginning.
First note the beautiful, still gliding river, the Illinois, then observe the majestic Father of Waters. Traverse all this territory, great in extent, formerly the home of savage tribes of Indians; the land marked by the tread of the buffalo and dotted over with the graves and mounds, the relies of extinct races. the fierce brute creation and game and fish abounding, prairies illimitable, adorned with flowers of gorgeous hue, fruits delicious in profusion and great variety, forests of vast size filled with gigantic trees and of many species, rivers bounding unfettered by man's contrivances, then no locks and damn existed thereon, fish in myriads were then the dwellers in those rivers. and these all existed in 1821 when Pike county was struck off by name from the older settlements and the few counties then existing in Illinois.
The territory of Pike county, as laid off in 1821, was cut off from Madison county. The counties then existing and created in January, 1821, were, Sangamo, Greene, Madison, Pike, St. Clair, Bond, Montgomery, Fayette, Washington, Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, Union, Alexander, Clark, Crawford, Lawrence, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Jefferson, Franklin, Johnson, Gallatin, Pope. all South and East of the river Illinois excepting Pike, twenty-six in all. About one-half the century since our Nation was pronounced by the Declaration of Independence to be free and independent has elapsed since the organization, and see how changed Pike county is. Behold the marvelous picture, unsurpassed in history; if we contemplate Pike county, as its original territory was, and view its almost superhuman bounds to its present condition.
THE POPULATION OF ILLINOIS
Illinois was created a territory, off Indiana territory, in 1809, in 1818 a State. We are now living under the third Constitution, Primed for our guidance by the voluntary act of the people. In 1810 the census of the inhabitants of Illinois was but twelve thousand, two hundred and eighty-two; in 1829, 55,211; in 1830, 157,44g [sic]; in 1835, 272,427; in 1870, over two and one-half millions by the last national census.
About 1835 the Illinois & Michigan Canal was arresting the attention of emigrants and speculators, it being a startling novelty, but wise public work. Cook and Duncan, of Illinois, deserve the laurels for this grand work, thereby uniting the waters of Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico.
Originally this canal was about one hundred miles in length. It serves a greet purpose, economizing and facilitating the traffic in stone, lumber and other heavy articles. This canal has been extended and deepened since its first coming into use.
In 1830 the population of Pike county, in its present limits, was 3,386; in 1835 it had more than doubled, then mostly composed of a farming population, the towns up to that date being few and small. Now our population approximates thirty-eight thousand, and yet we have no large city, but many interesting towns and villages.
Up to 1830 the most noted places or towns in Pike county, before its subdivision, were Peoria, then known as Fort Clark; Warsaw, then called Fort Edwards. Quincy was a very small place, and other towns, non thriving county seats, were just starting. In 1830 Cook county was laid off, it once being embraced in Pike county.
There was in the limits of Cook county, an Indian locality, Chigaoux, so called as early as 1726; thus you see we may trice earlier settlers than the Rosses, and Wheelocks, of Atlas, and Garret Van Duesen, of Blue river, the latter the forerunner of Jonathan Frye as a miller.
The Indians say of the place we now call Chicago, "the first white man who settled here was a negro." His name was Jean Baptiste Point Au Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who went to Chicago in 1796; this man afterwards died in Peoria. At Peoria, also, French settlement antedated the settlement of the present Pike county.
Observe what a grand array of counties has sprung up from the subdivision of the original territory of Pike county. How historic the names of these counties! See the map of the old Military Tract, once the almost entire source of Revenue to the State, by its lend taxes, beginning with Calhoun and running up to Warren, Mercer, Henry and Knox on the North. Some of the coonties in that tract have been subdivided, as Schuyler had Brown set off from her, Warren was divided and Henderson created. Putnam was a large county, lying on both sides of the Illinois river, and Stark was cut off therefrom.
Eighteen other counties hare been created from old Pike North of the "Military Tract." In 1832 the Sacs and Fox Indians devastated a portion of the country from Galena to the Yellow Banks, or Oquawka, in Warren, now Henderson, that being the Black Hawk war. Settlements were very sparse then from Galena to Quincy, and also across to Chicago. Now see the cities and towns, populous, beautiful, full of energy and industry, and the farms unsurpassed in fertility and comfort.
To revert, in 1827 the Winnebago Indians by an outbreak near Galena, on Fevre river, got up a little war, soon ended. At those dates Rock Island was a village, Dixon not existing, Galena a small place, but the largest North of St. Louis, and larger than Chicago up to 1836, at the sale of the canal lands. Galena was famed then more than now for her lead mines. Then there was no Moline and her steel plough factory, and wooden mould board ploughs were the great ploughs of the day.
Time and space forbid to recall all the progress of every part of old Pike, the census of the counties, cities and towns in the territory once Pike, but now in the newer counties would disclose vast growth in all the essentials of a prosperous country. Chicago, Quincy, Peoria, and the other cities outstripping in growth anything preceding them on this continent.
PIKE COUNTY
Let us confine ourselves for a time to the actual territory now within this county, and consider its progress and present condition.
THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT
This was at Cole's Grove (now obsolete) but near Gilead, in the limits of Calhoun county, there was held the first Probate Court on the 23rd of May, 1821, and the first Circuit Court for Pike County, John Reynolds as Judge, beginning on the 1st day of October, 1821. At that court a noted and peculiar trial took place of two Indians for murder, and the following full record of the cane in now to be seen at Pittsfield, in Volume 1, Page 4, of the Records of the Circuit Court.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 30, 1821.
The People, &c., vs. Pemesan and Shonwennekeh (Two Indians).
The jury in this cause came into Court and returned the following verdict, to-wit: We have agreed in our verdict, according to the evidence before us, that Pemesan, otherwise called Traveler, is guilty of manslaughter, and that the other, called Spice Bush, is not guilty. It is therefore ordered and judged by the Court that the said Shonwennekeh, otherwise called Spice Bush, go hence and be wholly discharged and acquitted. And it is therefore further ordered and adjudged by said Court, that the said Pemesan, otherwise called Traveler, make his fine to the People of this State in the sum of twenty-five cents, and be imprisoned for the term of twenty-four hours.
The earliest record book of the proceedings of the County Commissioners, prior to the June Term, 1832, is lost. A fire took place at Atlas which consumed some records and files of the Courts, and it is probable the aforesaid record was then lost.
SECOND COUNTY SEAT
Atlas was the second county seat and thereat was erected a Court House of framework, but of no architectural pretensions, which never was finished as a Court House, being used as such in an incomplete state. There was also a small but solid log jail, a terror to evildoers, but not often tenanted.
FIRST SETTLERS OF ATLAS
It was settled by New Englanders in 1821. In the summer of 1825 the town was laid out, its earliest settlers being Leonard Ross, who had been a captain in the U. S. service during the war of 1812 with England, and his brothers William, John, Clarence, Henry J., the latter being for fifteen years the leading physician in Pike, and extending his ride to other counties. He was an excellent physician, a genial friend and honest man; he died in 1836, leaving no children.
The late Colonel William Ross was one of those pioneers of Atlas. These Ross brothers were all married men and had most estimable and refined families. Dexter Wheelock with his wife, settled at Atlas about the time of the Ross family arriving. He had been during the war of 1812 a drummer, and was a very active, generous man, and for a time the hotel keeper and had a family and other grocery store. He is long dead, his wife and a son and daughter yet survive; and no more estimable man of the early born settlers yet lives than John G. Wheelock, the aforesaid son, now one of the Sny Levee Commissioners.
There was another conspicuous character among those early settlers of Atlas. Benjamin Barney, who was a man of great physical powers, of strong natural sense, benevolent, patriotic, not learned in book lore, but wise in that which made him a leader in trying times; he was long the County Blacksmith, and that meant the only one in fifty miles; sober, industrious, always at his post. His tales of early adventure are marvellous, and yet undoubtedly true.
Colonel Wm. Ross as aid to General Whitesides, and Ben Barney, afterwards Colonel of the 17th Illinois Militia, both took part in the Black Hawk war in 1832, and that campaign and the battle of Buena Vista made Zachary Taylor president.
Colonel Ross died within a short period. Colonel Barney yet survives in a vigorous old age.
We will speak further of the Ross brothers. Leonard was Sheriff, and William was until sometime after Pittsfield was laid out, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate Judge, and County Court, as well as Postmaster at Atlas, for a time the only post office in the present part of Pike county; there was thereafter up to 1833 the post office at Clio, at Charles Stratton's, and the post office at Bay, south of Pleasant Hill.
Colonel Ross was prominent as a representative from this county in the Legislature in 1836, at the time of the unfortunate, illadvised Internal Improvement system, which fell through, entailing a debt of millions of dollars on the young, struggling State, and yet that is all paid. He was afterwards state senator, and was noted for his shrewd public spirit and for many donations. He was not the originator of the internal improvement system; the Road Law of 1835, so called, which was of value to Pike, was the work of Colonel Ross.
At Atlas, prior to Pittsfield's location, was a cabinet shop of Mr. Branson, and Stephen R. Watson, yet in life near Barry, was the tailor who dressed the men in Sunday best. An old resident, now of Pittsfield, who is alive and upwards of eighty years of age, James Ross, had the first turners lathe and a cabinet shop; he was also a constable at in early day and was in the Black Hawk war. It was better than a farce to hear Ross tell his yarns in his palmy days; he was the Baron Munchausen then.
Ebenezer Franklin, an early settler, and about dating with the Ross family, to whom was born the first son in Pike county, has been gathered to his fathers many years, leaving respected sons and descendants.
Robert and Joseph Goodin and Fisher Petty were amongst the noted men of Highland. Petty was a County Commissioner at Pittsfield. Mr. Murphy was the first County Surveyor. Joseph Goodin was County Surveyor thereafter, a good officer; he is yet living, but in Missouri.
Ephraim Cannon, Sheriff afterwards of Pike, was an early and respected citizen. James M. Seeley was for twelve years noted as the honest, easy Sheriff. It was his duty to collect revenue; if a man was not ready to pay his tax, Seeley paid it and trusted him. Seeley had a numerous family, of whom Dr. E. M. Seeley, who was a surgeon during the Late war, was one; another, Dr. David Seeley, was an early settler of and died in Texas.
Benjamin D. Brown, now of Barry, once lived at Atlas. He came in 1834 from the East and was a first-class millwright and fitted up the mills at Rockport, those were erected by the Rosses and others.
All the settlers above named, but Brown, ante-dated Pittsfield, as did Colonel N. E. Quinby, who, with John Jay Ross, were resident lawyers in Pike county preceding 1833; both are dead.
The business of the county prior to 1833 was all carried on at Atlas; there were two general stores. Warburton & Co. of St. Louis, with whom Col. Ross was a partner, had a large brick store and did an extensive business, all on credit or barter. Mr. Francis Webster, who died after residing some years in St. Louis, also had a general store; with him his brother Thomas was clerk and is now a prominent officer in an insurance office in St. Louis.
Dexter Wheelock kept a tavern, snug quarters, and also had liquors for sale and groceries for family use. The old brick mansion at Atlas, erected prior to 1833 by Colonel Ross, as well as the old brick mansion of Leonard Ross and the brick residence of Sheriff Seeley, are yet standing. Edward McCord, who married Miss Seeley, resides in the latter.
PROMINENT SETTLERS IN OTHER PARTS OF PIKE
Prior to 1833 there were many prominent settlers, very useful and up-right. Amongst these were George W. Hinman and Hawkins Judd, who were County Commissioners with Colonel Ben. Barney, when they bought of the United States for $200 the quarter section of land upon which Pittsfield was located. Hinman and Judd are dead.
Garrett Van Deusen, an eccentric, Knickerbocker Dutchman, was a justice of the peace in an early day, and likely one of the earliest settlers east of Pittsfield, on Blue river, and was the originator of a queer device to crack corn, operated likely as Adam ran the first mill. Van Deusen used the stream of Blue river at a narrow place, and by catching and confining the water thereform in a hollow tree or trough, open at the end up stream and closed at the lower end, he worked a swinging pestle, which was suspended over a mortar, to crack Indian corn. The process was to let the trough fill with water nearly to overflowing; when by its weight it would descend, dashing the pestle into the mortar and crushing the corn. The pestle being adjusted some distance from the end of the trough, up stream, the water spilled beyond the mortar and the machine adjusted itself far another beat at the corn.
ATLAS
In the vicinity of Atlas Henry Long, from Baltimore City, settled about the year 1827. During a residence of many years, until his decease on his farm, he was 1. useful citizen and upright man. He reared a second numerous family of intelligent and educated children. His son, Jesse Long, has been a Supervisor of Atlas township and resides on the old homestead of his father.
CHAMBERSBURG
This town has had her celebrities a Benj. Metz, once a worthy member of the Illinois Legislature; Jack Morris, James Johns, the whole and numerous race of Metz junior, and also the abounding family of Ham. This family cannot realize the joke of Lord Bacon to one Hog, who claimed kin to his Lordship; the Judge's reply was. "You are not bacon until you are hung," and he then sentenced him to be hung. The Hams are too honest to swing so high.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES
Part of the plan proposed for the preservation and embodiment of the history of the county is through reports from the respective town ships of local matters, of the biographies of men of repute. This should cover all the matters and individuals not embraced in the general sketch of the county now submitted.
Pittsfield, as the county seat, is so interwoven with the county at large that more space is given to the sketch of men in this locality than to others.
The historian now announces to the audience and the public that if any subjects or individuals of note have not been introduced, it is not through an intention to slight any such, but his been owing to the short space of time allowed to work up this interesting field of labor, covering a space of fifty-five years. The history not being closed, in fact, suggestions will be thankfully received as to any additions proper to be made; if communicated in writing, action will be taken upon them.
GENERAL TOPIC
Pike county has almost been the mother of states to the west or Illinois. Having a pioneer population of an enterprising turn, large numbers have emigrated together to Oregon, Texas and California and other remote points, following the star of empire. Many estimable farmers have gone further east in Illinois and settled in the prairie counties who once lived in Pike.
The health of this county is almost invariably good, excepting in lowlands, where some malarious disease comes on at times. Long levity exists to a marked degree, and children fairly swarm. Prosperity and fine crops are the general results of industry.
In 1833, when Pittsfield came into being, mails, once, then thrice weekly, were wonders. No newspapers existed for many years; elsewhere we give the report of the rise and fall of newspapers. Church buildings were not erected, but came in apace with population; we now have nearly all known religions extant in the United States; these generally have houses of worship, some of them of fair appearance. The Methodist Episcopal has the highest steeple. We do not quite fill Dean Swift's description: "High church, low steeple, dirty streets and proud people."
At present we have two banks, one National, under the acts of Congress, the other has an old state charter. Griggsville and Barry also have each a bank.
PITTSFIELD'S EARLY SETTLERS
It is said impartial history is not written of the living or of current events. We now come to the sketch of many early settlers yet in life; we do not speak in terms of eulogy for the reason that they may hear these remarks; the families of the departed have heard the preceding, and we say that we have not set down anything in malice, and have not spoken through favor. We will not enumerate, as we cannot in the time name all the marked people of Pittsfield and the vicinity, but take those who filled a large space for many years in public estimation.
Mrs. Nancy M. Heath, who came in the first years of Pittsfield, is a native of Ohio, a ward in childhood of Governor McArthur of that state; she is venerable for her years, feeble in health, but of great endurance. She has witnessed many of the trials and active scenes of western life; her narrative of events, as told by her in person at an "Old Settlers" meeting, was very interesting. She has outlived many relatives and friends. Mrs. Heath and daughter, afterwards Mrs. A. V. Wills, kept one of the earliest schools in the county, and likely the first in Pittsfield.
Thomas Worthington, M. D., yet in life, was the earliest resident physician of Pittsfield; he came in 1833. For a long time he was not outranked by any in his profession here, and while his health permitted had a lucrative practice and was successful and popular. He was for one term a State Senator from Pike.
Merrill E. Rattan, the first postmaster of Pittsfield, long since dead, was also Probate Judge in Pike; he kept a hotel on the same lot on which the "Oregon House" stands.
William Watson, once a Probate Judge, and his wife, are yet with us, advanced in years. Mrs. Watson, long a sufferer, but once a model housekeeper in the Mansion House, and a sincere friend. Mr. Watson is daily seen, six days in the week, with chums enjoying checkers in his old
home, the "Mansion House Hotel." As a business man he was ever foremost, and by his industry, economy and honesty, he accumulated a handsome property.
Robert R. Greene, who, with his cousin, Austin Barber, opened and carried on the earliest large store in Pittsfield, yet survives; his health long troubled him. He was an industrious, superior business man. Mrs. Greene was one of the earliest and highly respected school teachers.
Austin Barber, in his day the merriest of the gay, honest as the day is long, was for a period County Clerk. He left well written records, in all particulars clean.
Henry T. Mudd, honored of late often in Missouri, was a boy here. He is a first-class business man and early excelled in energy. He was when a boy deputy in the post office and afterwards was County Clerk of Pike.
THE POST OFFICE AT PITTSFIELD
This, from its central position and as a distributing office, has been a marked office. Many individuals have filled the position of Postmaster. Of Rattan and Crane we have spoken, and of Colonel D. B. Bush. Mr. Porter Bennett and his father, Lucius Bennett, the latter as acting postmaster for many terms and at present. Mrs. Louisia Gilmer was appointed by President Grant and filled the office very acceptably until her death. Miss Lizzie Gilmer, daughter of her predecessor and of the late gallant Col. D. Harvey Gilmer, is now the incumbent of this office; the duties of the office are faithfully discharged.
Although a delicate matter for this historian to write as to relatives, yet it would be far from complete unless record was made as to worthy relatives.
John U. Grimshaw settled near Pittsfield in 1834 and afterwards moved to town and for many years was an active merchant exemplary in his life and business, a true friend, a man of great intelligence, he has long departed to the better land. He was a cousin of this writer. Jackson Grimshaw, resident of Pittsfield for 14 years, then of Quincy, has gone as all must go to the land beyond the grave. He was popular and much beloved and was a leading member of the Bar of the State; he died in Quincy in December, 1886. He was a beloved younger brother of the writer.
This county has sent many sons and daughters to adorn society in the larger cities and to carry the beauty and order of civilized life to distant states and territories. We cannot particularize all who have gone out from us. St. Louis has energetic business men and physicians who owe to Pike county their earliest training.
Dr. John Hodgen, an eminent surgeon of St. Louis now, was raised in Pike county and mostly about Pittsfield.
Who among the early settlers but remembers that quiet, unobtrusive man, Jacob Hodgen, father of Dr. John Hodgen, and the benevolent member and leader in his, the Christian Church.
Amongst our sons departed to other fields of glory were Messrs. O. M. Hatch and Alexander Starne, both residents of Griggsville, then of Pittsfield, each ran about the same career in Pike, both were Clerk of the Circuit Court and members of the Legislature from Pike county, both have held the office of Secretary of State of Illinois, and are now residents of Springfield in prosperous circumstances Mr. Starne recently has been a State Senator from his district. They are yet in the vigor of manhood.
At Pleasant Yale, earlier than Pittsfield, were several reputable families. Amos, Joseph and Pearly Jackson.
Major James Tolbert, an old Virginian, he was an officer in the 17th Illinois Militia at an early day. He left a numerous respected family, and was himself a substantial farmer and upright man.
Horace Horton, yet in life, was an old sea captain, a very "jolly tar" from the state of Connecticut, an energetic man. He settled in 1832 above Rockport and still resides there.
Lyman Scott, an early settler, married a daughter of Leonard Ross. He was for a time one of the owners of a former mill at Rockport, he was a pushing businessman and removed early to Kansas and is dead.
The Meredith and Neely settlements near the Illinois river, now Detroit township, were composed of several southern families, old settlers, prior to the location at Pittsfield.
John Neely was an early County Commissioner, but removed to Texas and is dead.
John Lyster, at times a Justice of the Peace, died recently in that settlement, of which he was an early and respected citizen and was often on the Grand Jury.
David Dutton, of the vicinity of Pleasant Yale, long deceased, was a very early and active farmer and became a wealthy man, a, warm friend, peculiar in his ways so as to be eccentric.
At Bayville, Dr. Hezekiah Dodge, an early practitioner of medicine, was from Virginia. He was a good study for a painter; he was, as one described John Randolph , 'long, lean and lank, and moved upon a spindle shank.' He was respectably connected, and left numerous descendants who are highly esteemed. A son-in-law of his, Mr. Ferguson, was once County Surveyor of Pike and a good citizen and officer.
The brothers Belus and Egbert Jones were old settlers. Belus was never a lawyer, but a pettifogger, he hung on to Lord Coke (J. W. Whitney) like a bobtail to w kite. At court time is was said; "No court till Coke and Belus come."
EARLY SETTLERS IN OTHER PARTS OF PIKE
Fearful that township histories may not be forthcoming, we sketch hastily the following, as the history is partial and incomplete unless memorial is preserved of the other meritorious persons whose names follow:
GRIGGSVILLE
About this town were many highly respected and useful men, not so early settlers as the Atlas men already named.
George W. Johnson was the founder of Griggsville.
Nathan W. Jones, who is pet living, laid out part of Griggsville. He in a well-preserved, energetic business man, the father of prominent sons, well-known to the county.
There were numerous Bradburys, highly respected. Abel Shelly, lately deceased, an estimable citizen. The Harringtons, brothers, Martin yet in life, a worthy man, and the venerable, pious Charles Harrington, who was once an efficient, upright Probate Judge of the county, and was a minister in the Baptist Church.
Boone Scholl, the founder of Perry. which was laid out first by the name of Booneville was a very worthy man.
In the Northwest part of Pike there was an early settlement of very reputable citizens.
Alfred Grubb, once called "the little hay horse" for his sprightliness, was a good Sheriff and County Judge. Thomas Orr, noted as a grand juror for long years, was respected by all. Thomas Hull, a good farmer and remarkable for his active piety; these all leave numerous descendants of great respectability.
The Blairs, father and several sons, all good men, were in the vicinity of Barry before Pittsfield was laid out. William, son of the senior, was a marked member of the Illinois Legislature and an upright and useful man. He is long dead. Montgomery Blair, once a farmer, of later years a fair-dealing merchant in Barry, was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1874. He lives, beloved by his family and friends. Harvey Blair is yet alive and an estimable farmer.
It is impossible in this sketch to notice all the earlier settlers. Some have emigrated, others have died. At court time at an early day in Pittsfield Samuel Gibson, Henry Kent, George Gibson, Samuel G. Sitton, Esquire Hayden, the Tucker Brothers would be seen, and William Johnson. James Johnson, and John and Jacob Heavner, the letter, although dressed in the homeliest garb, with his long ride and his bosom friend, James Johnson, was a conspicuous man. Both of these men were possessed of great nerve and endurance and made great havoc amongst the deer; small varmints they despised.
Samuel G. Sitton survives in his 75th year, and on June 29th, 1876, he cut on his own farm an acre at wheat with a sickle and bound it up on that day and was in Pittsfield the next day as spry as usual. Harvey Dunn of Chambersburg, was an old settler and in 1874 was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Illinois. He was a very unassuming but intelligent, honest man and is long dead.
Stephen R. Gray, venerable and respected in years, yet lives. He was sheriff about 1851; he is an early settler and resided at or near Barry and was at one time postmaster thereat; for many years his home has been at Pittsfield.
Hamilton Wills is yet as happy as ever, jolly in person, comfortable in business, an old settler in Pittsfield, as a Justice of the Peace in former years, useful and respected, yet alive to make a saddle and get up a fine harness.
Richard Kerr of Pleasant Hill township, was an old farmer, a leading whig, and represented Pike county in the Legislature one term. He died many years since, esteemed by all, leaving many relatives in Pike.
Bonaparte Greathouse of Milton, was a County Commissioner at an early day, of great worth, a good farmer, he is long dead and left surviving him a numerous family; several of his sons are practitioners of law.
Samuel L. Crane, now venerable in years, was a very early settler of Morgan county, Illinois, and has filled acceptably with perfect integrity the office of postmaster at Pittsfield; he is now in private life. He is the father of that useful son resident at Pittsfield, James H. Crane, who has been Circuit Clerk of Pike county and yet lives here and is a deputy clerk in the office of George W. Jones, our present efficient and popular Circuit Clerk.
William B. Grimes yet lives in Pittsfield. He was an able and honest County Clerk far one term, succeeding William Steers, who was a good and worthy officer and his successor is Jonathan L. Frye, who was a son of an honest miller, Jonathan Frye. J. L. is now the incumbent of the County Clerk's office.
James McWilliams, venerable for his years, influential in his town of Griggsville, has been a representative of the county in the Legislature and often a Supervisor of Griggsville township. He is an early settler of Griggsville.
Daniel D. Hicks, now the esteemed cashier of the First National Bank, is an old resident of Pittsfield and has filled honorably several offices. He was once Sheriff of the county. During his term of office a riot took place on an election day in Pittsfield, when many wild boys who had been good soldiers in the late Mexican war took an active part in the riot, calling out "we are some pumpkins." By aid of a posse of the people, called by Hicks, the riot was put down.
FREE FRANK
Frank McWorter, and his wife Lucy, with three children, emigrated from Kentucky; and settled in Hadley township in the spring of 1831; he had wintered in Greene county, Illinois, in 1830. That family were the first settlers in Hadley township, and none others arrived for two years.
Frank McWorter laid out the town of New Philadelphia.
Frank bought his own freedom and that of his wife and many of his children, and left provision in his will to buy grandchildren, which was carried out by his son, Solomon McWorter.
Frank died shout the year 1857, at 77 years of age. Lucy, his wife, died in her 99th year in 1871. Frank was born in South Carolina, Lucy in Virginia. Both these old people were members of the Baptist Church and people of exemplary lives. By industry and economy they left a valuable farm to their heirs. A large and respectable settlement of their descendants now exists around the old home.
This county has had many eminent physicians, prominent amongst whom at an early day were Doctors Hatch, senior, of Griggsville, long deceased. and his son. S. C. Hatch, M. D., now of Barry, yet practicing; he was a surgeon during the rebellion, in the Union army.
Dr. Higgins, also of Griggsville, once Superintendent of the State Insane Institution, and has been a useful member of the Legislature of Illinois, is yet in successful practice as M. D.
John Hay, the author of "Pike County Ballads," Secretary since to the Spanish Mission, and private secretary to Lincoln, now on the staff of the New York Tribune, was a boy at Pittsfield, of great hilarity, but not wicked as his ballads might imply.
CONGRESSMAN
Pike county and the district is now represented by one of her own sons, far the first time, in Congress, by Scott Wike, well-known at the Pike county bar, and yet himself young in years and a bachelor. We hope he will not die, as President Buchanan, in the same state of life.
COUNTY OFFICERS
Henry R. Ramsay, who died in November, 1873, at his farm in Atlas township, was an early settler, a man of great probity and intelligence. He was once County Commissioner of Pike county, and an active business man; he was much beloved.
Parvin Paullin, a native of New Jersey, came in mature years to Pike, served one term as a Representative in the Illinois Legislature from Pike, and was Probate Judge of the county. He discharged his duty with honor and efficiency; he died many years since.
Reuben W. Scanland, a member of the bar, but much noted as Squire, long a leading Justice of the Peace, popular and when in health and so inclined a very useful officer. He is dead several years.
Joshua Woosley of Barry township, has been a noted man and has served one term with great usefulness and with perfect integrity as Sheriff. He is an old settler and is yet an active man.
Captain Elisha Hurt was Sheriff of Pike county, and filled the office judiciously and honorably. He served during the war of the rebellion in the Union army with distinction.
John McTucker, last of Barry, once of Hadley township, was on the Board of Supervisors from Hadley, and often on the committees of the Agricultural Society of Pike, a first-class farmer, an upright and intelligent man, of great benevolence and very p |
