Untitled Document

EARLY SETTLERS

In 1831 John McKinney, then of Kentucky , made a tour of inspection, voyaging on a steamboat up the Mississippi to Yellow Banks. In the following March (1832) he moved his family here. The day he landed was gloomy and rainy. The Phelpses were living in a double cabin. Arrangements were made for lodging for the family. Mr. McKinney's family consisted of self, wife, and two small children.

The Phelpses and the McKinneys lodged in .one apartment, while in the adjoining room were a number of Indians, who kept punching the fire, vociferating and singing continually till morning ; so that while children could sleep in their innocence, Mr. McKinney passed a wakeful night.. Mr. Phelps is said to have been better satisfied when. Indians were present at his home. Mr. Phelps owned a pony and Mrs. Phelps had a side-saddle. These were loaned to Mr. McKinney as a conveyance for the family, while he walked, and all started for Seth Oaks' ( McKinney 's brother-in-law), east of the Henderson river.

Arriving at the Henderson river, it was found to be much swollen. The family dismounted; the saddle was taken from the horse. A tree had fallen over the river, with the top to the east. Mr. McKinney walking this log, carried the children over the river, led his wife as she walked over, and, walking himself, he led the horse, which swam safely to the other side ; then all was made ready and the journey resumed and finally finished. He afterward secured his goods hauled to the river, then had them canoed over and conveyed to the proper place.

May 1, 1833, Charles Sergeant landed at Yellow Banks. He found the Phelpses living in a frame house of three or four rooms, and keeping store yet in the Galland cabin. Mr. Phelps must have built the frame about the fall of 1832, or in the spring of 1833. He and his brother Alexis were doing a lumber trade also at that time.

Mr. Sergeant purchased lumber of them, which he hauled to the S. E. If of Sec. 34, T. 11 N., R. 4 W., which piece of land he had fought for in the war of 1812. Peter H. Cousland was here in the early Indian clays. His brother, William Cousland, was hired by the Phelpses and had been with them from an early date .. He married S. S. Phelps' hired girl in 1833, and in later years (about 1846) died and was buried here.

" Negro Dick," as he is known, was in the service of Mr. Phelps, and still lives. The Indians being extremely averse to the black man, were about to despatch him. It was with a considerable effort that Mr. Phelps convinced them to the contrary, and thereby to save his life.

In 1832 J. B. Patterson touched at Yellow Banks, then went to Galena. Liberty Gilmore, a carpenter, landed here about 1829 ; in 1830, Josiah Osborn ; about 1833, Coquil S. Ward, a millwright ; in 1834, Martin H. Ward. I. S. Chapin became the first boot and shoe merchant; he landed in 1834; also A. T. W. Jack, who built the famous Jack's mills, on the Henderson, which were patronized for thirty miles around, and are still active. Their builder is dead.

Travelers began to drop in more frequent. W. C. Ellet, a carpenter; D. M. Gordon, a tailor, from Georgia; Daniel Hubbel; Julius Hills ; Thomas Jones, a plasterer; Harry Jennings, a merchant and lawyer, made their appearance about 1835

. In 1836, Albert Hebbard, of New Hampshire ; Alfred Knowles, who became the first clerk of the county ; quite a number of carpenters, as Kenton & Macke y, Young & Russell, and Young & Blackburn, firms in the business ; Reuben W. Young. Harvey Russel had come to the county about 1830, and became the builder of many of the early houses of Yellow Banks.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

Illinois Ancestors