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This history of Edgar County is taken from the book, "The History of Edgar County, Illinois",
published in 1879 by Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 186 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill. It was
compiled by historians, W. H. Perrin, H. H. Hill, and A. A. Graham.
Grand View Township
The township of Grand View is bounded on the north by Buck; on the east, by Paris and Sims; on the west, by Kansas, and on the south by Clark County. The township is drained by small branches of Big Creek and by Brushy Creek--tributaries of the Embarrass River. These streams, in addition to furnishing stock-water for the farms lying adjacent, also furnish water-power for mills of considerable power, some of the sites having been improved. The St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute, or the Indianapolis & St. Louis, Railroad passes through the northern part, furnishing an outlet to Indianapolis and other eastern markets for the products of this section.
This part of the county had been purchased by the Government from the Indians, surveyed and offered for sale by the year 1822, though the Indians continued to occupy portions of it for ten years subsequently. For a few years, the whites and red skins seem to have occupied the land almost in common, as but few of the whites really entered their lands, but simply built small cabins but little superior to those occupied by their dusky neighbors. Perhaps the poverty of many of the early settlers had not a little do with their delay in securing patents for their homes. Land, too, was plenty, and the newer comers were not disposed to interfere with the claims of those whom they found already in possession, even though they were Indians.
The first entry of land made in this township was by Aric Sutherland, in 1825; and though he was the first settler, this transaction was not made for over three years after he settled in the township. Aric Sutherland is credited with being the first white settler in the western part of the county. He was from the State of New York, and moved to this locality in June of 1822. Before locating at this place, however, he resided with some friends in the east part of the county, in what is now called Hunter Township. Sutherland was a man of considerable character, and proved to be a useful and much-respected citizen. Though of but limited education, he was a man of good judgment and honest purpose. He was, in politics, a strong Whig or Adams man, and, as such, took an active part in the political questions of the day. He was the first County Commissioner from the west end of the county, and held the office several years, rendering good satisfaction to all parties. In 1826, he united with a society for the purpose of forming a Baptist church in Grand View Township, and was an ardent member of that society. He died here about forty years ago, greatly regretted by everybody. Mr. Sutherland left a large family, who have exerted a large influence in all public affairs. Of these were Richard B., Daniel and Aric. The first of these has been, more than usual, a man of influence, especially in politics. His education was but that afforded by the limited pioneer schools of the county, and such general information as he was able to pick up. In the store of Col. Smith he learned the outlines of business, which eventually made him so successful in his own enterprises. After a few years in partnership with James Dudley, he entered into business, and continued in the same line for over twenty years, at the villages of Grand View and Dudley. He died about a year ago in Paris, to which place he had removed and of which city he was Mayor.
Daniel Sutherland removed, about thirty-five years ago, to Wisconsin, where he became on of the most prominent citizens of the county in which he lived, being elected to the Legislature of the State and other important positions.
Aric Sutherland, Jr., was of as positive a character as any of his relatives. He was a strong Whig, and would enforce his political views with blows. In 1846, he enlisted in the service of the United States as a soldier in the Mexican war, was appointed a drummer, and "beat" his way through the country of the Greasers, going the whole round, and returning without a scratch. His death occurred six or eight years ago.
Charles Sutherland was the youngest of the sons. He removed to Arkansas many years ago, where he now resides. The two daughters, Polly and Ulie, married, the former, John T. Olmstead, one of the early settlers of this section, and the latter, Laban Burr, of Coles County.
The same year, and about the same time that the Sutherlands settled here, Thomas Cary, also from New York, and, we are inclined to think, from the same neighborhood, came to this part of the county. Cary settled eventually just north of where the village of Grand View now is, on the land now owned by Robert Tate. Cary was a man of fine qualities, and well liked by everybody. Like most of the other early settlers, he came poor, but soon rose to a competency. He had been a blacksmith, and followed the trade for his own and his neighbors accommodation after coming here. He was the first man in this part of the State who ever attempted to break prairie. As before intimated, the early settlers all sought the timber, and cleared out their farms; and the land, being thickly shaded, had not produced the heavy, tough grass-roots of the prairie, and was comparatively easy of cultivation. The roots of the grass, in the prairie sod, were almost as tough and hard as hickory withes, and the little bar-share wooden moldboard was not to be thought of for cutting through its tough meshes. By no known process was the soil of the plains to be subdued. The question was often discussed by the old pioneers, but he conclusion generally arrived at was, that the prairies were designed as great pasture-fields, and to that purpose they must be devoted. But, by and by, the inventive genius of the Yankee supplied the article that was to transform the desert waste into a succession of the most fertile fields, and the sod-plow was brought out. This was an immense machine, with a beam ten or fifteen feet in length, a share that could cut two and a half feet in width, and a moldboard constructed of iron bars. To this giant plow were hitched six yoke of oxen. No handles were needed, except for the purpose of starting, and usually a long lever was attached instead. Mr. Cary, with this plow, exposed many sections of this township to the sun and dew, and thus brought its soil into subjection; and in this way he earned a considerable amount of money with which to go into business that paid him still better. While the sod was being turned over, it was customary to drop in the edge of the furrow, corn, which grew and produced an inferior crop; and from this has been named a favorite brand of whisky, which, in those days, was taken by almost everybody "straight". A few years later, when that "gigantic enterprise," as it was then called, of constructing a national road, extending from the city of Washington to the extreme boundary of civilization, was laid out through this State, a few miles south, Mr. Cary obtained a contract for building a portion of it, and in this made what was then considered "quite a spec." Mr. Cary's first settlement was made just west of the village.
The same season that brought Cary and the Sutherlands, John Cutler and the Johnsons found their way to this part of the county. Cutler was a brother-in-law of the Johnsons. They were formerly from the State of Ohio, but had lived for a time in Indiana before removing to this place. Isaac and Benjamin Johnson were brothers. They all settled just east of the village, where they lived ten or a dozen years, when Isaac Johnson and Cutler again took up their line of march toward the setting sun, this time settling in Iowa, near Fort Madison. Benjamin continued to reside in the township until about seven years ago, when his death occurred. For the last thirty years, he had lived a most miserable life, being confined to his house during that whole period with rheumatism.
In the fall of 1822, Thomas Darnall came with his family from Kentucky, and settled at the head of Big Creek. Of this family, William D. is still living, and is a resident of Paris; and, as he was in the township at the first and has taken a deep interest in all matters, both social and political, pertaining to this locality, we are largely indebted to his memory for whatever may be valuable in the history of this part of the county. He says that when they came to the county they found the above-named persons living in the township, and besides them there were no white people. The Darnall family was remarkable for its size, fifteen of the children having grown to manhood and womanhood in the county. All except William D. have either died or removed to other parts. Two of them--Aaron D. and Moses W.--were minister of the Gospel, the former of whom lived here until three years ago, when his death occurred, the latter moving to Wisconsin years ago.
The elder Darnall passed on to a newer and better country forty-two years ago, his old and faithful companion following nine years latter. Thomas Brown came a little later in the year. He was from Tennessee, but had resided for two years in Clark County. He settled in the year indicated, in the eastern part of Grand View Township, where he resided about ten years, when he again removed to Clark count, where he died. The next year, Isaac Brimberry, from Kentucky, came to this locality, and settled a mile southwest of where the village now stands. Brimberry was a miller and farmer, and, in the former occupation, was the first to engage in this end of the county. His mill was run by horse-power, and, it is said, did not grind much faster than a hungry family could eat. Doubtless this statement was greatly exaggerated, for it is acknowledged that the Brimberry Mill was considered a valuable accession to the few conveniences of the community.
About 1825, William Roley, James Johnson and John Henderson and his two sons, Hugh and Andrew, made their advent to this township. William Roley was from Virginia, and had a large family, one of whom, Stephen L. Roley, now a citizen of Paris, is believed to be the first white person born in Grand View. He is also the only remaining one of the Roleys who is a citizen of the county. William Roley was a sley-maker--not a sleigh maker, as some of our younger readers may mistake, unless they are good spellers. The sley-maker's business was quite different, and the construction of a sley was comparatively a delicate business. The sley is an instrument used by weavers, and is constructed of thin reeds, or bits of cane. Its use is to keep the threads of the cloth in their proper position, while they are being drawn forward in the weaving. Some will wonder what in the world they wanted with a sley-maker in those times, when there is not even now a manufactory of cloth in all of this part of the State. In the time of which we write, not only was the cloth made into garments at home, but the cloth in every process, from the sheep's back until it adorned and comforted the back of a human being, was a home manufacture. The thin reeds of the sley were liable to break while weaving the thread into cloth, and thus, Mr. Roley's services were in frequent demand. Mr. Roley died two years ago, at the advanced age of eighty-two. James Johnson was a cousin of the Johnsons already named, and was destined to become a still nearer relative of his cousin Ben; and thereby hangs a tale, which, had we all of the facts and plenty of space, we might weave into a little romance. Suffice it to say, however, that James' first wife having died, cousin Ben's daughter being a comely maiden, especially in James' eyes, and the damsel having a greater regard for her father's name than she had for his wishes, consented to become Mrs. Johnson No. 2, without her father's consent, and much against his will and that of the whole family. The result was an elopement. All the members of the family were afterward reconciled, and Uncle Ben found that he gained a son instead of losing a daughter.
The Hendersons were Kentuckians. The elder Henderson was a very strong Democratic politician, and, as such, was elected second County Commissioner from this end of the county. The strongest political opponents of the Hendersons were the Sutherlands, with whom they had many wars of words, which, not infrequently ended in the more muscular contest of blows.
Hugh and Andrew established what is now known as the Kimes Mill, a year or two after coming to the country. The boys moved to Texas about thirty years ago, the father having died here. A daughter married Philip Smith, and another, Peter Bartmuss.
During the last-mentioned and the following year, Ledston Redmon and his brother Bennet, John T. Olmstead and brother Moses, Anson Phelps and Joseph McCrackin took up their residence in various portions of this township. The Redmons were from Kentucky. They were very successful business men and accumulated a large amount of property. A son of Bennet Redmon was the proprietor of the village, lying in the eastern part of Embarrass Township, bearing his name. John T. and Joseph Olmstead and Phelps were from New York. The lived here but a short time, comparatively, selling out to what might be called the second set of emigrants, who began to make their appearance ten or a dozen years later. Phelps was one of the first Justices of the Peace in this vicinity. The business transacted by that office was of but small consequence as compared with the same office at the present time, and yet, it was necessary that men of the best judgment, and men, though they knew but little law, yet were conscientious in their opinions of right and wrong, should be selected to fill such position. Mr. Phelps seems to have been a man of that character.
Doubtless, Joseph McCrackin built the finest hotel that was ever erected in the county--that is, taking into account the times and the circumstances. Certain it is that his establishment was looked upon as being first-class in every particular, and Landlord McCrackin had the reputation of knowing how to run a hotel. The "tavern," as it was called, still stands in the village of Grand View, and, with some additions, serves the purpose of a comfortable dwelling. In addition to Joseph's knowledge of tavern-keeping, he also knew how to keep school, and as a pedagogue was employed to "keep" the first school in the township; and we may readily guess if his tavern and school enterprises were coincidental (which, however, we believe was not the case), that he did not board around, as was the usual custom in those times. Be the minor matters what they may, Joseph McCrackin has left behind him the name of being a successful schoolmaster.
The first era of the history may well be said to be identical with the first decade, ending as it does with the excitement caused by the Black Hawk war, and which caused, for a time, an interruption of the stream of emigration that was pouring into this county. By the year last named (1832), quite a number of new settlers had appeared. In a terse letter, written by W. K. Payne, who settled here in 1831, is given, at a glance, the extent of population at that date. He says: "I came to Grand View, in 1831, bought land, built a house and married. The village of Grand View, in 1831, consisted of six houses. Col. T. Smith had a house and store; there was a doctor's office near where Dr. Mosley's office now stands; a cabin where Miss Burton now lives; another cabin long ago weather-boarded and forming the east end of Miss Dunn's house (the only one of the original six now standing); and a building, part log and part frame, standing on the northwest part of my lot. I rented a room in the last-named building, which was the only hotel in the place, and commenced selling goods. From Cary's farm, now owned by Robert Tate, just north of town, all northward was open prairie, over which herds of deer were roaming at will. The grass was as high as a min's head, and no roads were to be found, except mere paths or trails. We got our mail once a week on horseback. In the vicinity, were Joseph Matkins on the farm entered by John Cutler, Joseph Dunn west of town, John Olmstead northwest, Carry's north, where Robert Tate now lives, Benjamin Johnson east of town; and, scattered around were John Shrader, Isaac Johnson, William Shrader, Joseph Hite, John and Joseph Perisho, J. M. Archer, Joseph McCrackin, Daniel Horton, Daniel and Aric Sutherland, Charles Smith, Maj. Smith, Emanuel Zink, Jacob Augustus, John Milburn, Fredrick Rudy and John Umphrey. The settlers from twenty miles northwest traded with the merchants at this point. We brought our goods from Louisville, Ky., in wagons." As several of the names mentioned in the above have not before been noticed, we will introduce them.
Col. Thomas Smith came to the township in about the year 1830, and engaged in merchandising. He earned his title subsequently, in the Mexican war. He took about thirty men from this county, in a campaign against the Greasers, and was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. The Colonel was a very bluff, though well meaning, and those who knew him best say, a very kindhearted man. Of course he would not likely be an officer in the Mexican war, without at he same time being a Democrat, as that was supposed to be a Democratic enterprise; and a very ardent Democrat he was, and could not tolerate Whiggery even in a son-in-law. Col. Robert Mosley, a man in every respect worthy, but who held political views opposed to Col. Smith, sought the hand of his daughter in marriage; but, owing to the discordant views already mentioned, his advances were disdained by the father. But love laughs at soldiers, as well as prisons, and the two well-mated young people celebrated their nuptials without the father's consent. The Colonel, however, vowed that they should "never step a foot inside of his house," and henceforth his daughter and son-in-law were doomed to be strangers to the angry father. Col. Mosley and his bride could do no less than accept the situation, and, accordingly, took up their residence at a place remote from the unappeased father's house. The years passed on, and after awhile the young couple came back to the neighborhood to visit old friends. It was told around, so that the Colonel heard it, that they came back, not alone as they had gone, but that a beautiful little boy accompanied them. The Colonel had remained firm in his determination never again to look upon the face of those who had set his will at naught, but when this news came to him, the good part of his heart was affected, and he yearned, not only to see the boy who certainly was innocent of any evil toward his grandfather, but he longed to see his daughter and son-in-law, against whom he had not the least feeling in the world, except that he was a Whig. He hoped they would come without an invitation, but they dared not. At length, one day meeting the man at whose house they were stopping temporarily, he said to him: "I wish you would tell those folks at your house to bring that boy and come and stop acting the d---d fool." It is needless to say that though the invitation was not so polite as it might have been, it was gladly accepted, and, henceforth, the best of feeling existed. We believe that Dr. A. K. Mosley, now one of the leading physicians of the county, may justly claim the credit of effecting the reconciliation.
John and William Shrader came from Oldham county, Ky., to reside in the township in the fall of 1830, and located on the Vandalia, or Paris and Grand View road. They have both earned the reputation of being fine, straightforward men, and have accumulated, by industry and good management, a large amount of property. The former of the two brothers died about twenty years ago. Lewis, a son of his, now resides at Dudley, is very wealthy and is considered one of the soundest men in the county. Another son, Jackson, moved to San Francisco, Cal., a number of years ago, and it is said stands amongst the first there, socially, politically and financially.
William Shrader, now and for the last twenty years, a resident of Paris, is now eighty years of age, and is still in the enjoyment of good health, and a good prospect of scoring another decade. Mr. Shrader attributes, in a great measure, his good health and long life to temperate habits. He says that, in the early time, drinking whisky was almost as universal among the men as eating bread, and that, for some time, he was the only example of a total-abstinence man. Joseph Hite, a brother-in-law of Shrader, came from Kentucky, in 1828, and settled near the village of Grand View, on the Paris road. About the year 1845, he removed to Oregon, where he resided until a few years ago, at which time his death occurred. He had attained the age of eighty-five. A son of Joseph still resides at Dudley, in this township.
John and Jacob Perisho were from Kentucky, but formerly from North Carolina. They settled on the Paris road, near the edge of the timber. The former died a couple of years ago, at the age of eighty-five. His wife still lives, and has reached her eightieth year. Their son Jacob Perisho, occupies the old homestead. Joseph Perisho's death occurred near forty years ago. John M. Archer was a local Methodist preacher. He is still alive, but has attained a very old age. He was the organizer of the first Methodist church in the west end of the county, an organization that was established near the Perisho place.
Maj. H. G. Smith was from Kentucky, and was not only a soldier, having acted as Quartermaster for the regiment that went from this county to capture Black Hawk, but was Captain in the service of the Army of the Cross, being a minister in the church denominated Christians, sometimes known as Campbellites. It seems he was a man of some political aspirations also, being, for several years, the County Commissioner from the west end of the county. His death occurred nearly twenty years ago.
John Milburn was another preacher. He was of the Methodist persuasion, and, as such, was the first resident preacher in the township. In the early days, Methodist preachers used a good deal of lung-power, and doubtless Parson Milburn reflected that, if wind-power was a good motor for grinding out sermons, it might be utilized for grinding grain; so, while he offered the Bread of Life on the one hand, he determined to erect a windmill mill that should prepare the meal for the corn-cakes that should sustain the body on the other. We cannot say positively that this was his line of reasoning, but the bread, the wind and the machine, in each case, might easily have suggested them in the other. At any rate, he erected a wind-mill; but it was not a great success, or rather, as a wind-mill, it was too great a success; for, a short time after its completion, a storm came up and left the concern a wreck. The enterprise was then abandoned. It is hardly necessary to say that he was from Kentucky. We have recorded it so many times that it has become quite monotonous. Mr. Milburn died about thirty years ago. Daniel Zink and his son Emanuel were from Kentucky. Several members of this family still reside in adjacent townships.
Fredrick Rudy and Jacob Augustus were brothers-in-law, and we guess they were from Kentucky, too. Unlike most of the pioneers, they came here with considerable means, and by the poor people of that time they were counted rich. If a man had a thousand dollars, he was considered wealthy.
Augustus was a man of considerable influence, especially in politics, and was, for a number of years, a leader. He was, for several terms, the County Commissioner representing the west end of the county. He was an Old-Line Whig; but, when that party died, he cast in his lot with the Democratic organization. He continued to reside here until about eight years ago, which was the time of his death. Four sons and one daughter are still residents of the county--C. A. Augustus, present Circuit Clerk; Frederick A., now a resident of Paris; L. A. and H. W., residing on the old homestead, a mile southwest of Conlogue. The daughter, Mary, married A. J. Hogue, former County Clerk and County Treasurer, whose death occurred three years ago, at Kansas.
The Miller family came in 1830, from the afore and oft mentioned State. They were known as the "two Jameses." James Miller, Sr., was a one-legged school-teacher. The epithet pedagogue, as commonly though incorrectly defined, means walker. In Mr. Miller's case, it might be guessed that such a translation would scarcely be applicable; but, not only did it apply, but it is said that both he and the second James were good runners. Nobody can run for an office, other things being equal, like a one-legged soldier. James the First ran for the office of County Clerk, and was elected. He died while in office, or probably he would have been running yet. James the Second went to the Mexican war, came back covered all over with glory, and became a candidate for the office of Circuit Clerk. After the expiration of his term of Clerk, he removed to Missouri, where he was elected Sheriff of his county.
We will now introduce Joseph Dunn, and then we had done with those mentioned in Mr. Payne's letter.
Joe Dunn, as he was familiarly called, was a "good fellow," and a good officer. For the sake of variety, we will say he was from the State of Indiana. He was Sheriff a number of years--we think about three terms, at least--and died during his last term, about thirty years ago. His wife died ten or a dozen years since. Some of the family still reside here. During Dunn's official career, he was called upon to inflict a penalty on a convicted thief, which, because it was the only case of the kind that ever occurred in the county, we will mention. Perhaps but few are aware that the lash was ever authorized as a penalty by the law of this State. It was, however; and by some it was said, with good effect; and there are not a few who now believe that a revival of the law would be beneficial, especially in cases of petty offenses, where the party is unable to pay a fine, and has to go to jail and "board it out." In 1833, during Joe's first term, a thief by the name of Alf Klem, then residing, or, rather, "staying," in the vicinity of Paris, broke into the post office at that place. He supposed he had "got away" with about $28; but was caught before he had gone far. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to be whipped on the bare back--"to have five lashes well laid on." Of course, as Joseph Dunn was Sheriff, he necessarily had the unpleasant duty to perform. Had the sentence been hanging, Joe would have tied the knot and cut the rope. The prisoner was taken to a spot just east of the Jail, to which place he was followed by forty or fifty men and boys, hooting and yelling. The place reached, Alf's coat, vest and shirt were stripped from his back, leaving the skin bare. He was then tied, with his arms around a black-jack tree which stood there, and with his feet firmly fastened to the root. Evidently, he had hardly expected that the sentence would be carried out, as he acted as though he was but little concerned in the matter. But when Joe drew out a rawhide, the culprit began to whine; and when Joe said, "Now, boys, stand back and give me plenty of room," he begged for dear life. The executioner, however, laid on the lashes, and Klem screamed lustily. After it was done, the flogged one turned to the Sheriff and said, what the Sheriff understood to be, "I am much obliged to you;" to which Joe replied, "I am sure you are quite welcome to all that I gave you;" though, if he did make such remark, it was probably a bit of irony. Alf afterward told some of the boys that it didn't hurt; but he evidently feared that he might merit another flogging, for he left soon after, and was never more heard from.
Mr. Payne does not mention John Olmstead, as he had but just sold out the land on which the village of Grand View was afterward build, and, for ought we are able to learn, had removed from the place. He subsequently settled in Coles County.
Biographical Sketches
Of Our Patrons
Grand View Township
Please click the above link for individual biographies from Grand View Township.
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