EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND SETTLERS

There is no doubt but that to John McKinney belongs the credit of making the first permanent and successful settlement in this township. He was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, in 1801, and at the age of nineteen left his native state and went to Ohio, where he became assistant clerk in the office of his uncle, John Riley, who was clerk of the supreme court of that state, also court of common pleas. He afterward studied law under the Hon. John Pope, once senator of the state, representative in congress and the first territorial governor of Arkansas. Finding the bar crowded with young aspirants and without patrimony, Mr. McKinney turned his attention to farming, the vocation to which he was raised.

Having a liking for the west, he came first on a prospecting tour, and in the spring of 1832 emigrated with his wife and two children to Warren, now Henderson county, Illinois, settling on Sec. 25, on the northwest corner of which he built a cabin and began to make and improve a farm. This was formerly military land, which he purchased for $1,000 of one RomeIns Rigg, an eastern speculator. He also bought of G. Mann, for $500 the E. of Sec. 26, and later entered a piece of land in Sec. 30, all T. 10 N., R. 4 W. Perhaps it was the beautiful grove after (known as McKinney's grove, and now (1882) as Salter's grove that induced Mr. McKinney to settle so far east of the river. However, in addition to the advantages of plenty of timber of the leading varieties, he also located in what was destined to be as good a farming district as could be found in the country, a beautiful rolling prairie and well watered. At the time Mr. McKinney settled here his nearest neighbor was Amos Williams, who was then settled on Ellison Creek, some four miles distant to the south. Living near to Williams was Abram Hendrick„ who was formerly from near Lexington, Kentucky. Ezekiel Smith also lived in the same neighborhood, and of whom Hendricks bought his first land.

Though it is conceded that to McKinney belongs the credit of being the permanent pioneer who remained on his first purchase and growing up with the county, it is nevertheless the fact that the honor of first settler should be acknowledged to belong to one James Richey, who settled on section 7 in 1829, for in that year, when John C. Jamison came here, Richey was the only man living in that part of the country. Mr. Richey, with his family, had emigrated from Indiana, and during the summer of 1829 raised a small crop of corn. The year following wheat raising was also a part of his agricultural industry. This crop was cut with the old-fashioned reaping hook, or hand sickle, the Shorts and Jamison assisting. During his first year or two here Mr. Richey was so straitened in circumstances as to be actually compelled to take the weeds commonly called nettles and have his wife manufacture a lint from them (by the same process as it is made from flax), and from this she made rude clothing for herself and the children.

Uncle Abner Short informs the writer that Mr. Richey was a church member and a Seceder of the strictest sort, and that on a certain Sunday (having forgotten the day of the week) he put a grist on his horse and started to mill. Meeting Mr. Jamison near his Cabin, his memory was corrected. He stopped and prayerfully returned home. Prior to 1840 Mr. Richey left here and moved beyond the Mississippi, still glorying in the name of hardy pioneer.

Going back to McKinney's Grove in 1835, we find Benjamin Thompson settled a little southeast of the grove, perhaps on Sec. 36. He was a Kentuckian by birth, and became very popular among the early pioneers. He was early elected sheriff of Warren county, a position he creditably filled for a number of years. Dykeman Shook, who settled on the N. E. of Sec. 34 in the spring of 1836, was another of Mr. McKinney's nearest neighbors. He was also from Kentucky and a man of sterling worth. He lived on this farm till the time of his death. Mention of him is made on another page.

Mr. McKinney and Mr. Shook, both having families and living near neighbors, united in building a log schoolhouse, and engaged as teacher a young man named Bell. This school was kept up for some time, or till McKinney's children became far enough advanced to send. away to boarding school, during which time a new system of schools sprang up. McKinney was, during his residence here, both school director and treasurer, and after his removal to Oquawka in 1842 or 1844, Mr. Shook was elected in his stead.

Soon after the settlement of Shook and Thompson, the former a Campbellite and the latter a Baptist, together with McKinney, who was formerly a Cumberland Presbyterian, agreed to put forth an effort to have divine worship at their cabins every alternate Sabbath. It was also agreed that each with their families should attend. Following closely in the footsteps of the pioneer comes the frontier itinerant, who is truly a divine laborer.

One Rev. Peter Downey was the first to expound the gospel to these people. He was a Cumberland Presby­ terian, and his first sermon here was at the house of John McKinney. He afterward founded the Cumberland Presb yterian church in the short settlement, afterward known as the South Henderson Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in 1816 settled permanently on a farm on the N.W. 4 of Sec. 16, where he lived till his death, which occurred in March, 1856. He left a family of five children, of whom Mrs. B. H. Martin is the only one now residing in the county. He was a native of Kentucky-, and was an earnest worker in his Master's vineyard.

Rev. Van Dorn, a Baptist minister, also preached at the houses of Thompson and Shook for those who were settled about the grove.

It is with some degree of pride and satisfaction that the writer speaks of the backwoods preacher. Courage and industry were the preeminent virtues of his activity. His circuit embraced what would now seem an incredible extent of country, and he did well if he served all his appointments once every month. To defy distance and weather was a regular habit. He usually traveled on horseback, carrying in capacious saddlebags a small bible and hymnbook, a clean shirt or two and a homely luncheon. Often he would ride thirty miles to preach a funeral sermon, and forty or fifty to marry a couple for three or four dollars. But he did not scorn privation and overcome obstacles for money ; it was a pleasure to be about his Master's work. He grew strong in view of the great field and the waiting harvest, and his soul was animated by the simple joy and hearty salutations which the warm hearts of the people always expressed at his coming. Bat before circuits were formed the zealous messengers of truth rode through the wilderness visiting the scattered settlements and carrying the news of the Good Shepherd. His arrival was the signal for word to go forth and summon together the hungry souls. Meetings were held in the cabins or in God's first temples, the groves. At this early period denominations exerted no influence, congregations were composed of every sect and those who represented no sect, all feeling and acknowledging a common necessity for worship. Then, the service over, the preacher departed on his rugged journey refreshed with the hospitality of his full souled entertainers and laden with the provisions which. the thoughtful housewife had prepared for his comfort, bearing on his head their blessings, and followed by silent prayers for his safety and return. As money was a commodity little seen, and for many years commanded o high rate of interest, the preacher usually received his pay in provisions, such as potatoes, beans, meat and flour.

Among the many early circuit riders in this part of the state, and whose names have become household words, were Peter Cartwright (whose name is perhaps written in nearly every county history in this state as well as in Indiana), Richard Rana and Henry Sommers, who still live (though far advanced in years) to look back over the great work they have accomplished.

But to return to increase of settlements, which in 1840 had begun to spring up all over the township, perhaps a little later, say January 1843, Mr. E. Marston made a settlement on Sec. 29. This was decidedly on the prairie and over a mile from the timber. He was from "York State," and a man of very peculiar characteristics. Here he engaged in a mixed business of farming, stock raising, tavern keeping and store keeping. On his farm was built the second school-house in this township. After Mr. Marston's death his family removed to Kansas and the farm passed into the hands of a Biggsville worthy citizen, Paul D. Gibb.

James Rankin in an early day purchased a quarter-section of land in Sec. 32. The same land is now (1882) worth $60 per acre, though when he bought it he paid for it with a yoke of steers worth $35. This is but another illustration of the cheapness of land, stock and produce, and the dearness and scarcity of money. As another instance of the little cash value placed on stock and labor, a reliable old citizen declares that he tried to redeem his note for $4.25 in the hands of a neighbor by offering him a yearling steer, a good thrifty calf, a shoat weighing 125 pounds and two days' work. This offer was declined and he was obliged to raise the money.

Another settlement was made on the prairie at an early date by J. S. Harbison, on the S. W. 4 of Sec. 34. His farm, which is now quite large and well improved, is entirely isolated from the public highway, and inaccessible only by a narrow lane.

Some few years previous to 1840 Seth Oaks made improvements on Sec. 24, though he permanently located just in the edge of Warren county. He came from the eastern part of the State of Vermont with one Abner Davis, a brother-in-law. They made the trip here during the summer of 1829 or 1830 with team and wagon. Mr. Davis settled near Olena, and Mr. Oaks, after working out a couple of years, settled as above stated, where he grew immensely rich in land and cattle, owning at the time of his death, besides a large amount of stock, nearly 4,000 acres of valuable land in this and Warren counties and Milo county, Iowa. His sons now own and occupy the land and well sustain their father's good name for thrift and industry. It might here be stated that to Mr. Oaks is due the credit of owning and running the first reaper in Henderson county.

The S.W. corner of Sec. 31 in the township was settled in an early day by Dr. William McMillan and Arthur McQuown Sr., the former from Kentucky and the latter from Virginia. Portraits of these two estimable citizens appear in this work and stand as monuments to their memory and evidences of the high esteem in which they were held by their relatives and friends. Though the doctor had no children of his own, yet others who enjoyed his fatherly care stand ready to do honor to him as loving sons and daughters, and a grateful people will, while life lasts, hold sacred his memory for many years. While the country was yet new and undeveloped he rode almost constantly day and night visiting the sick (poor as well as rich), carrying with him healing words of kindness as well as trusty quinine. His sleep was usually obtained while riding along on horse or mule back and at other times where no time would be lost, unless perchance he fell into a sound sleep while tying or untying his horse, as he once did at the residence of Mr. Galbraith, where he was once discovered an hour after he went out to go, standing asleep where his horse was hitched to a post. By untiring industry and good manage­ ment he made on the prairie a model home which immediately attracts the attention of the passer by. His fine substantial brick residence, which stands a little elevated and back a distance of about thirty rods from the public road, is approached by a beautiful drive, either side of which is adorned by lofty pines and other varieties of evergreen in great profusion. To the right as you enter is an extensive orchard covering many acres and filled (in the season) with most of the leading varieties of fruit. But the doctor is not there. Find a brief sketch of him on another page.

Mr. McQuown, whose home is on the S.W. 1 of this section, emigrated from Washington county, Virginia, to this county in 1842, with three horses and a wagon containing all his worldly goods, and one horse and carryall (light square box buggy) containing his wife and small children. He started from the place of his birth and the home of his fathers for the Far West, and after a journey of six weeks arrived in Biggsville on October 3. Mr. McQuown at once with his characteristic industry went to work, and is now enjoying the sure reward of a life well spent. So guarded has been his ever y act, and so scrupulously honest in all his dealings with men, that now, after nearly half a century's active business life and relations, none have but the highest words of praise to offer in his behalf.

John Rezner, who owns a large amount of land in the northeast part of this township, and resides on See. 11, where he has recently erected a costly residence, has been a resident of Henderson county since 1845, though as early as 1840 he emigrated from Washington county, east Tennessee, to Warren county. There he engaged in farming, as a renter for a start. He is now a large stock raiser and farmer, and turns all his attention in that direction, rather than giving time to anything of a literary nature. Not so, however, with his brother, Eli Rezner, whose home is always provided with the current newspapers, secular and religious periodicals and publications of the day. He is the youngest of the two, and remained with his widowed mother till 1847, when he turned over to her all he had but $5, with a promise to work while his clothes were good. He then came direct to Henderson county, Illinois, where he has since resided, made good his promise, and is now one of this township's wealthy and prosperous farmers and stock raisers, mentioned on another page.

**William John Hutchinson, settled in this (T. 10, R. 4) township on See. 9, S. as early as about 1842. He owned a farm of 400 acres there, and as a farmer, stock raiser and shipper was a decided success. He did not live to be defeated in what he undertook, and seemed to easily accomplish what most men would hardly dare to undertake. In his early death the town lost one of its most valued and active citizens, and his children an honored father.

Thomas Records settled on and owned for many years the farm now owned by Dr. Nelson, in the N. 4 of Sec. 8. He and his brother Spence came to Oquawka with their mother and step-father, Judge Pence, prior to 1840, and after selling his farm to Mr. Nelson removed to California.

Levi. Bebee, Miles Gordon, Isaac Van Tuyl, John Jamison, Samuel G. Plummer and John C. Jamison were all old settlers in the north part of the township, while in the south part Samuel C. Douglass, Andrew Douglass, David Mundorf, John Worden, Stephen Holmes and uncle Jacob Akerman had settled and were ]mown among the quite early on the prairie.

Up to the year 1850 no doubt many had come and gone, some perhaps whose names were familiar to those with whom they associated, but have since quite passed out of memory.

As in almost all other early settlements so it was in this. Not a few of the first to come were also the first to go, and no doubt the writer of the pioneer history beyond the Mississippi would find names once familiar here, but that they had moved on toward the setting sun, following in the footsteps of the noble redman and glorying in the name of hardy pioneer. A few, it is to be presumed, growing disheartened by the hardships and privations of frontier life, made their way back to their old eastern homes, carrying with them an everlasting indignation at and contempt for a life on the prairies of the far west, foolishly pre­ ferring a life of servitude than to crack corn for bread in a mortar or grind it in a coffee mill for a season, and finally become rich and inde­ pendent in a home of luxury, and be able to call it their own, to be honored and respected by their friends and feel a just pride in themselves. But perhaps the largest number of those who early settled here now rest beneath the sod, here and there in little groves or beside some little brook, with scarcely a head-mark to their almost unknown graves

A few at first buried their dead for convenience on their own claim, with the intention of later transferring their remains to cemeteries, when such should be organized. At the southwest end of the point in the bend of the creek southeast of the village of Biggsville is yet to be seen two lonely graves with small rough stones at their head, on which are no names inscribed. Many others may exist in this township, of which the writer has no knowledge.

But to come down to the days of later improvements, we find outside of the thriving little village of Biggsville (the prospective county seat) many beautiful farms, the result of continued application and long years of patient toil.

Paul D. Salter, Robert A. McKinley, Samuel 0. Douglass, Samuel, Stewart, Stephen Staley, William Rankin, Arthur O. McQuown, Isaac McQuown, G. H. Cowden, James A. Graham, Paul D. Gibb and James Gibb, might be mentioned as taking the lead in agricultural pursuits in the south part of the township, and John H. McDougall and Dr. J. G. Stewart as giving their attention (in addition to farming) to the introduction into this part of the county of a better grade of stock. Mr. McDougall has recently purchased and imported a thoroughbred Cleveland bay or English coach horse for the improvement of that class of horses in this section. To Mr. McDougall much credit is due for an early step in the right direction, as fine stock is as essential to the building up and successful growth of a community as is the cultivation of the soil.

The thoroughbred shorthorns of this country have been long known as the most successful competitors of the best American herds. A herd of these valuable bovines has been lately purchased by and can now be found in. the pastures of Mr. Stewart's stock farm.

In the north part of the township, Dr. Nelson, R M. Hutchinson, W. B. Graham, Robert McMillan, J. W. Jamison, Eli Rezner, John Rezner and Wm. Weigand are among the largest agriculturists, and John R. Foster is giving some attention to fruit growing and the raisi g of nursery stock, and the present indications are that in the near future Larch farm will be an attractive feature in this part of the township.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

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BIOGRAPHICAL DATA Of JAMES CULLEN HUTCHINSON

Copied from the MERCEDES-HENDERSON CO. IL. HISTORY

Published by H. H. HILL and Co. Chicago, II. 1881

Among the early pioneers of this county, and deserving honor mention, no name stands higher than James C. Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson was born in County Antrim , Ireland in the year 1790. Came to America in 1811 and passed his twenty-first birthday on the Atlantic ocean . first settled in the state of New Jersey , where he was soon after united in marriage with the noble and true Miss Sarah Delamarter, who became the mother of his six sons and two daughters, two of whom John and Samuel were born in the city of Patterson , NJ . Five in Harrison County , Ohio and one in Warren County , II. From New Jersey Hutchinson removed to Harrison County , Ohio in 1818, where he followed farming and dealing in cattle largely till 1833,* when he with his family emigrated to Illinois , landing at the lower Yellow banks (Oquawka) on June 2.

During the same summer he located a claim on Sec.1, T.10, R4 where he and his sons actively engaged in making hay preparatory making a start in the stock business, which they finally succeed building up to immense proportions. During their first summer on prairie the bread supply became exhausted, and finding hay-making with hand scythes and rakes without bread too exhaustive on physical system, Mr Hutchinson went with a team to Quincy and purchased a load of flour which answered a good purpose for his family and the neighbors (within several miles). In the fall of the first year of his settlement here he was induced by his neighbors to move his cabin from the into the timber to avoid freezing to death the first winter, and move was Just across the line into Sec. 36, T. 11, R.4, into a friendly qrove, where he lived and prospered as a farmer and stock raiser until time of his death in 1852. The same year his wife and one was laid near his grave

The dates for the sons of James Hutchinson coming in 1840 are not entirely correct since they came with their father in 1833

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