Full Text of History of Vermillion County Illinois -- Chapter XVII Scanning and OCR by Joy Fisher, jfisher@us-genealogy.net ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER XVII. THE THIRTIES IN VERMILION COUNTY. THE PERMANENT COURT HOUSE-WILLIAM MILLIKANS' CARDING MILL BUILT- FIRST LOG MEETING HOUSE BUILT-OPENING OF A ROAD FROM FORT CLARK- NEWCOMERS TO VERMILION COUNTY IN 1830-REVIVAL IN THE INTERESTS OF MORMANISM-LAND OFFICE-CONGRESS PETITIONED TO GRANT STRIP OF LAND BETWEEN CHICAGO AND VINCENNES FOR RAILROAD- NEWCOMERS TO VERMILION COUNTY IN 1831-PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BUILT-FIRST NEWSPAPER STARTED IN VERMILION COUNTY--GOSHEN BAPTIST CHURCH ORGANIZED-POSTAL ROUTE ESTABLISHED FROM CHICAGO TO VINCENNES-NEWCOMERS TO VERMILION COUNTY IN 1832- BRADY BRANCH CORNCRACKER-NEWCOMERS IN 1837-EXODUS TO WISCONSIN LEAD MINES- NEWCOMER IN 1834-CHARTER FOR C. & V. R. R.--CHARTER SECURED FOR NORTH CROSS R. R.-NEWCOMERS IN 1835-KIRKPATRICK'S MILL ON STONY CREEK-KYGER'S MILL BUILT-STATE BANK CHARTERED--NEWCOMERS IN 1836--AMOS WILLIAM'S MILL--SAWMILL -FIRST STEAM SAWMILL-R. R. GRADED THROUGH VANCE TOWNSHIP-POSTAL ROUTE FROM DANVILLE TO SPRINGFIELD VIA DECATUR-POSTAL ROUTE FROM DANVILLE TO OTTAWA-POSTAL ROUTE FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO DANVILLE- NEWCOMERS IN 1837-GRADING ROADBED FROM CHAMPAIGN COUNTY EAST- SHEPHERD'S MILL-VERMILION RAPIDS PLATTED-NEWCOMERS IN 1838-SAWMILL NORTHWEST OF ALVAN-NEWTOWN LAID OUT--CHRISTMAN MILL-NEWCOMERS OF 1839. The claim that "biography is the only true history" holds good at least in the telling of the story of a new country. Up to 1830 the history of Vermilion County is recorded in the biographies of the men and women who came into the wilderness to make new homes. Events in these years were little less than direct expressions of individual tastes and desires. Men controlled events in a greater degree than they could after there were a larger number together with more diversified interests and ideas of life. Each man was more a factor in the events than was the case when a larger number made a community of interest a necessity. So it is that by the time of the "thirties," the individual man was recording the history of the county in a series of events which more or less determined his own history more than he was making it as a story of single lives A man could come to this section in the twenties and develop a farm here and there to his credit, tracing the way to some other rude cabin when he felt the need of companionship; but as others came and demanded rights to comfortable homes he must divert his efforts to that which would add to the comfort of the many; he must divide his space, and where the old trace had sufficed his needs, a road must be laid out, and one notes many changes marking events. The county was growing and new conditions were arising. The county seat had been little more than a name for two or three years. Court had been little better housed than before the location of the county seat had been made at Danville. The first court was held at Butler's Point, and so was the second term. The first was at the home of James Butler and the second at the home of Asa Elliott. The next term of court was held at the home of Amos Williams, in Danville. But after this there was a temporary building that stood on the west side of the public square south of Main street for a court house. This was the log house built by Mr. Reed, which the county bought with an idea of fitting it up for public use. This was the first court house. It did not stand on the corner of the plaza where the bank is now, but on the lot just west of this, where the Woodbury stores have been for more than a half century. This building was one story high with a space for a loft above, was about sixteen feet square, and made out of heavy logs, hewn inside and out. The county sold this property, lot and all, to Hezekiah Cunningham, who agreed to provide them with a place to hold court, etc., in the upper story of the large frame building he and Murphy were erecting on the southwest corner of the square. This building was on the lot now used by the Illinois Traction system. The building which the county first used for a court house, the first court house of Vermilion County, was removed after Mr. Cunningham bought it to a lot on the corner of North and Hazel streets, where, in after years, it was, weatherboarded and formed the main building to which Mr. Farmer put wings. It remained here until June, 1876, when it burned. At the December term of court, 1830, the county board ordered notice to be given for the reception of plans and bids for a permanent court house. Nothing, however, was done until the following December, when notice was again given declaring that at the next term of court bids would be received. A new departure was made in the carding mill built by William Millikan in 1820. It was a primitive affair run by treadmill. But as it was the first carding mill in the county, it was patronized by many. Its patrons were always kept waiting until the oxen which, run in the bush, could be found. • This mill was located within Georgetown township, and to those living north in the other part of the county, it was a great undertaking to attempt to get any carding done. It was in the same year that the first floor, other than one made of puncheons, was put into Dr. Fithian's house. This house was the wonder of all, it being the first "planed floor" ever known in the county. The carpenter was prevailed Upon to let some of the leaders among the young people have a dance in the new house before he turned it over to Dr. Fithian. This was fortunate, as the stern man would not have chosen such a mad frolic as a house warming, and it would have been too bad to have missed such a floor for dancing. The roads of the county had been a concern from the time of its organization. The destination of the most of these roads was the salt works, and every road that did not go directly to this destination was intercepted at some point where it would turn in that direction. An important road was opened from the Fork Clark road in 1830. This was opened from the Fort Clark road, where it crosses the west line of section 25, T. 20 west R. 11 W. There were many newcomers to Vermilion County in 1830. Among them are numbered Dennis Olehy. He was born and reared in Portsmouth, Ohio. He married and settled there. In 1830 he determined to go west and journeyed with a team to Vermilion County, Illinois. At that time much of the land was yet in the hands of the government. Mr. Olehy entered a claim to land, which later was within Danville township. When he first came he put up a pole shanty for temporary shelter until he could build a log cabin. His wife's father, John Glaze, is supposed to have come with him. Dennis Olehy and Elizabeth (Glaze), his wife, were the parents of seven children and after her death in 1845, he married Sarah Ann Jones and became the father of ten more children. His was an honorable place among the pioneers of the county, and he lived to an advanced age. He died March 2, 1877. Robert Price was another one who came to Vermilion County in 1830. He was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, whose parents came from England to Ohio. Robert Price died in 1850. He was the father of but four children, only one of whom lived to maturity. John Pugh was from Pennsylvania when he came to Vermilion County in 1830. His ancestors were born and reared in the faith of the Society of Friends for many generations back. John Pugh came with his family to Vermilion County, Illinois, settling on the Little Vermilion in Carroll township. In 1836 he changed his residence to Elwood township, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died at the old home in 1847 and his wife lived until 1884. Nathaniel Langley came from Kentucky to Vermilion County in 1830, coming in wagons. He located in Danville township, buying seventy acres of timber land on section 27. He built a log house and lived therein for three years. Then he sold that place and bought over 200 acres on sections 26 and 27, same township where he lived the remainder of his life. Dr. William Fithian came to Vermilion County in 1830, locating at Danville. The surrounding country was but sparsely settled; the land being yet largely owned by the government and for sale at $1.25 per acre. Dr. Fithian entered upon a great practice covering a large area that even extended to Chicago. He entered land to such an extent that he acquired a fortune. Dr. Fithian was a politician and served in the legislature as well as holding more local offices. Dr. Fithian was married four times and became the father of four children. Luke Dillon was a native of Guilford County, N. C., and came to Ohio when seventeen years old and began farming. In the fall of 1830 he Came to Vermilion County and bought a farm one mile north of Georgetown, when it was a wild country. This was a large farm and he built a log house on it which had one room and a kitchen added. Luke Dillon was the father of ten children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. One of these children was killed in the army. In 1830 Osborne Hilleary, with his family, emigrated from Ohio to Illinois and settled on section 30, Blount township. They made the journey overland in a covered wagon or a prairie schooner, as it was called. When they reached their destination he entered eighty acres of land from the government and he also bought a tract of timber land from a settler, all of which he, with the help of his boys, cleared. His first home was in a log cabin with a puncheon floor and a fireplace along one end. The family raised their own sheep which they sheared, and they then spun and wove the wool into cloth from which were made the garments of the family. Osborne Hilleary was the father of nine children, all of whom lived to maturity. He and his wife both lived in Blount township the remainder of their days. Thomas W. Douglas was born on the Penobscot river in Maine and came to Dearborn County, Indiana, settling near Rising Sun. He married Delilah Payne, of New York, and they were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom reached mature life. On coming to Illinois Mr. Douglass drove through the black swamps of Indiana when the wheels would sink to the hubs in the mud. Several families came together. Mr. Douglass entered 240 acres of land on the section on which the county farm is located. The Douglas family lived in the double log house for thirty years. This was the one he built when he first came here. It had a stick and clay chimney, and the fire was lighted with punk gathered in the timber and ignited by means of flint and tow. Camp meetings were held where the home-made tallow candles furnished light and the girls of the household went, carrying their shoes with them, until they were near to the place of worship and removing them before they started for home. Thomas W. Douglass died in the village of Catlin in October, 1865. John Thompson was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 1797. He was a well informed man and taught school some of the time. He came west, and in about 1823 he was married in Dearborn County, Indiana, to Esther Payne, and in 1830 they came to Vermilion County, settling near Danville where Mr. Thompson became the owner of three hundred acres of land, a part of which he obtained from the government. His efforts developed this into a valuable farm. The first house was a log cabin which they occupied until 1844 when they built a two story frame house. John Thompson was a man of more than ordinary ability and he took an active part in affairs of the county. He acquired considerable property. He served at one time as county commissioner. He was one of the charter members of the Danville Lodge of Masons and filled many offices therein. He died in 1861 at the age of sixty-five years. His wife survived him until 1899, when she died at the advanced age of ninety-three. Both were buried in Spring Hill cemetery. Thomas Short came to Vermilion County in 1830. He was not married when he came, but his future wife arrived here about the same time. They were both natives of Virginia. He was a very well educated man and was engaged in teaching school at near Maneely's Mill for some time. Mr. Short was elected the second county clerk of Vermilion County. He filled that office for twelve years, after which he turned his attention to farming. He was struck by lightning, which disabled him for business for several years before his death in 1877. His family included six sons and three daughters. Wallace Sperry came from Connecticut to Warren County, Ohio, where he remained a short time, and in 1830 he went on further west coming to Vermilion County, Illinois, and settling near Higginsville. Francis Dougherty was another newcomer to Vermilion County in 1830. He was a native of Maryland but had lived in Ohio for some time previous to his coming to Vermilion County. He became an extensive landowner in this section and died in 1860. Robert Price came from Pike County, Ohio, crossing the country in wagons. He was yet in time in his coming in 1830 to suffer the privations of pioneer life. He died in 1850. He was the father of four children. James Rees was one of the band of Friends who did so much for the moral uplift of the county in its formative state. He came in 1830 and was a farmer all his life. He commenced the nursery business in 1854 and did much for the improvement of this section. He compiled a valuable history of that section, but it never was put in print and his son carried it to his western home and lost it in a fire. Mr. Rees was the father of eight children. He taught school for ten years. Alexander Church came from Virginia in 1830 and farmed Mr. Caraway's land for a while when he bought land in section 28. This was the school section which has been given in lieu of the saline section 16. Congress gave all of section 16 to the state for school purposes, but another law reserved all saline lands to the state. The saline section had been taken possession of by the men who were making salt and living there, hence this section was given in lieu of it. John Boggess took up land in sections 29 and 30 in 1830. He made a good farm and continued to live there up to the time of his death in 1875. Mr. Boggess came from Monroe County, Virginia. He was married in Greenbrier County of the same state to Jane Gillespie McCorkle. He came with his wife and family of small children to Vermilion County and stopped at Brooks Point for a short time. Mr. and Mrs. John Boggess were the parents of eleven children. Six of these children were born before they left Virginia. One died in young manhood. Five of them were born in Vermilion County, and all but the three mentioned lived to have families of their own. Mr. Boggess and his wife were both buried in Oakridge Cemetery. Of Mr. Boggess' children the eldest was William, who died young; Diana, who became the wife of Joseph Griffith and the mother of four children: Rebecca, who became the wife of William Ray, the brother of Dr. Ray; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Butler; Harvey, who married the daughter of Harvey White and was the father of four boys; Charles, who married Huldah Patterson and became the father of two children; America, who became the wife of James Davis and the mother of two children; Enoch, who was married three times and the father of nine children; Melissa, who died early, and Julia, who died in infancy, and John W., who married Valura B. Piper and became the father of four children, two of who died while small. John A. Church was a baby of but three years when his father brought him to Vermilion County in 1830. He lived all his life within three miles of the farm upon which the family settled. His mother was Ruth Caraway, the daughter of Charles Caraway. Rev. John Villars was a prominent citizen of Vermilion County, coming in 1830. His parents were strong Methodists, and he was licensed to exhort in 1823. This was in Ohio. In 1830 he came to Illinois to Vermilion County and settled about four and a half miles east of Danville. In 1833 he was licensed by the M. E. church to preach, but in 1838 he left that church and joined the United Brethren in Christ, in which church he labored until his death in 1858 as a minister. In 1852 he went to Wisconsin and remained for five years, but returned in 1857. He then went to Nebraska, where he died the following year. Mr. Villars laid out one of the abandoned towns of the county, platted under the name of Shepherds town. The missionaries of the Mormon church came to Vermilion County in 1831 to get converts. They did their work in Newell township, and had some success. This faith had but just been established the year before this, through a claimed revelation made to Joseph Smith in Ontario County, New York. The missionaries sent to Newell township were Orson and Parley Pratt. The former afterward became a prominent leader in the church at Salt Lake, although while here, Parley was the better one of the two. The center of the operations of these two missionaries was in Blount township. The first preaching place they made was at the house of Olive Miller. Afterward the occupied the Eckler's school house, and made appointments at Harrison Oliver's and John Chandlers. The wife of the latter was a sister to Swinford, who was a preacher in the faith, and she favored it while her husband neither approved or disapproved of the doctrine. They had a number of followers, among whom were Elders Sherer, George Morey, Coon, Packard, Jackoway, and others whose names are not now available. In preaching, these Mormons called themselves the children of the Kingdom and they made pretence of healing the sick and even went so far as to say they could raise the dead. They, however, made no demonstration of that power. Consider Scott was among their converts, being one of the very first. Harrison Oliver, Louis Neely and Olive Miller all were converts to the doctrine and, taking their families, went to Independence with the missionaries when they left Newell township. A number of their converts would not go with them, however. In 1831 the inconvenience of having the Land Office so far away had become so great as to make some effort to change it imperative. Steps were taken to memorialize the governor to secure the location of a Land Office at Danville. This was secured, the district being created by an act of February 19, 1831. Francis Prince was made the first register and his commission was dated March 2, 1831. Samuel McRoberts was the first register and his commission bore the same date. He remained receiver until 1840, having second commission dated March 4, 1835 and February n, 1839. John C. Alexander was commissioned register with dates of November 5, 1833, June 12, 1834, and May 26, 1838. Stinson H. Anderson was sent a commission as receiver of money dated June 10, 1840, but he declined it. Thomas Jones was then appointed receiver, his commission being dated, July 27, 1840, but he, too, declined to serve. Then Lunsford R. Noel was appointed and sent a commission bearing date of October 20, 1840 and another December 29, 1840. He was commissioned again February 21, 1845, and once more on December 21, 1848. He had held this position for nine years. John Vance was commissioned register, August 25, 1841, and William E. Russell followed him, receiving his commission dated August i, 1845. Daniel Clapp was commissioned register, July 12, 1849 and John H. Murphy was commissioned receiver September 20, 1848, and again September 2, 1850, the same date as the commission of Daniel Clapp a& register. William E. Russell was the last man commissioned as receiver and his commission was dated March 30, 1853. Richard S. Malony was commissioned register March 28, 1853. William P. Davis was commissioned register, January 20, 1854, and John N. Drake had the last commission for that place, his bearing date of July 24, and January 6, 1856. The office was discontinued December 16, 1856, it having been in operation for twenty-five years. By this time there were plans of many kinds to increase the facilities for travel. Since the main dependence was the waterways, every possible improvement of them was sought. There were many suggestions made to improve navigation of the Big Vermilion and the Danville people tried to slackwater it but that was found to be impossible and so Vermilion County petitioned Congress, as early as 1831, to grant a strip of land between Vincennes and Chicago for a railroad. Citizens of other counties joined them but it was of no practical help in solving the problem of transportation throughout the state. It was many a long year before a railroad was to run between Chicago and Vincennes. There were many newcomers to Vermilion County in 1831. One of them was Reuben Partlow, who came from Kentucky and located in Danville. He was a wheelwright and cooper and lived in Danville working at his trade for a time, but at last took up a claim in Newell township, upon which he built a log house. Mr. Partlow remained there but a year when he disposed of his claim and re- , turned to Danville, where he followed his trade for a time and later took up a claim on the Middlefork. His market was in Chicago and at one time he took a half barrel of honey and supplied the whole town, returning with a good portion of it. He lived on the farm on the Middlefork until 1853, when again he returned to Danville where he spent his remaining days. He died in 1866. Aaron Dalbey was another who came in this year. His home, just before he came to. Illinois, was in Randolph County, Indiana. He bought the farm afterward owned by George Jones and later bought three hundred acres of land on what was the well known John McFarland farm. He lived there all the remainder of his life. He was a prominent citizen and built the mill on the Salt Fork. He was three times married, having five children by the first, two by the second and four by the third wife. Mr. Dalbey died in 1855. Asa Folger came from North Carolina to settle in the Elwood neighborhood. He was a tanner 'and shoemaker and he did this work for the settlers for miles around. Some times his business was so rushing that he employed four or five men. He was one of the best of men. He belonged to the Society of Friends and was, as were so many of these best of people, an influence for good to all who knew him. He died in 1850 and his wife, in 1880. Another force in the development of the county was Joseph Smith, who came in 1831. He was an Englishman by birth, and his father brought him to Vermilion County, Illinois, in the latter part of this year of 1831, having spent a short time in Elmira, New York, and yet some more time in Chicago before coming here. They bought a small farm near Potomac, but they disposed of this property in a few years and moved to Myersville, this county, and took charge of the old water mill at that place. After running the same for several years Mr. Smith became a resident of Danville and formed a partnership with John L. Tincher. They bought a flour and hominy mill, but Mr. Tincher soon sold his share to Mr. Giddings and the mill was afterward conducted under the name of Smith and Giddings. A strange thing was connected with this partnership and mill, since both men died and the building burned within the one year. Reece Cook came from Indiana in 1831 and first settled at Grate Creek, but afterward went five miles northwest of Danville. He was married after he came here to Miss Hartly, whose parents came the year before. Harvey Cloe came from Kentucky and settled in Georgetown township. He married Miss Eslinger, a native of Vermilion County. They lived in the same home until after her death, when he married Miss Colwell for his second wife. While there had been a log house on the rear of the old Pennsylvania House property built by Bluford Runyen in 1828, this at one time famous tavern was begun and completed in 1832 by Samuel J. Russell. This building was on the west side of Vermilion street about half way between Main street and the first street north. It was a good house for its times and completed with the McCormick House in caring for the traveling public. The first newspaper was started in the county in 1832. William Delay is said to have been its editor at that time. Whether his term of editorship came at so early a date is but a matter of memory and, should the date be an error, there is no doubt that he was editor of it at a very early period in its history. William Delay was a man typical of the times. With sympathy all with the southern states and the institution of that section, he looked forward to that institution being extended into the territories, and even had a hope that Illinois should become a slave state and to that end put forth every influence. He was courageous and reckless, a man of strong will and ready effort. His brother was of the same stamp, and together they joined the Mounted Rangers and took part in the Black Hawk war, serving in protecting the section about their camp in Vermilion County after the war was ended. In 1845 Mr. Delay moved to Oxford, Miss., where he became a leader in political affairs. He was sent as a delegate to the Charleston convention in 1860. He was a shrewd politician, and understood the conditions in the country; it is said that upon his return he predicted the downfall of his party and the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, and also the following Civil War. Mr. Delay afterward became captain of a company in one of the regiments of the Confederate army. The year 1832 marks the beginning of the Goshen Baptist church. Although the organization was made in this year, services were held in private families, and at the Davis school-house, and the Steams school-house for three years before a church building was put up. As was the case in almost all the other churches of this denomination in the county, Elder Freeman Smalley and Elder G. W. Riley were the leaders. Benjamin Smalley was the preacher in this church for many years. It was in 1832 that the Black Hawk war called forth many of the men of Vermilion County. The fact that Black Hawk had returned to Illinois was known only to those who read the Springfield papers, or took their news second hand, and the citizens of Vermilion County had but vague rumors of the impending trouble, until one morning when church service was disturbed with a cry of the stranger who came into Danville shouting "The Indians! The Indians!" This church service was conducted by Rev. Kingsbury in the room of the second story of the Cunningham store, where it was accustomed to be held. It was broken up while the stranger told his tale of Indian cruelties feared by the people of the sparsely settled northern Illinois. The inhabitants of the Fox River country and Hickory Creek were fleeing from their homes through fear of the dreaded enemy. They drove their cattle and other stock before them and some bareheaded and others barefooted hurried on to Danville. Then the report of Stillman's defeat came, and all sorts of rumors made the certainty of the Indians coming) down upon this section, killing, burning and destroying in every direction a reasonable fear. At any cost the flying fugitives must be relieved at once from the pursuit of the Indians. A call was made at once for a forlorn force to go to their assistance. In less than two hours there were thirty men volunteered to go and by three o'clock in the afternoon were on their way, under the leadership of Dan Beckwith as captain. Immediately the Vermilion County Militia were concentrated at Danville and put upon the march. Every part of the county was represented in this body by many of its best citizens, Col. Hubbard among the number, under the command of Col. Moores, with John H. Murphy acting as his aide. The year after the war was over those of Vermilion County who were in the Illinois Rangers went into camp near Danville, awaiting release, and the effects of this part taken by this county in this war were felt for some time. In 1832 the postal route was established from Chicago to Vincennes by way of Danville. The wagon road had taken the place of the old trail, and along this road the mail was now to be carried three times per week. Among the newcomers to Vermilion County during this year are to be reckoned the following: Harvey Steams, John Dicken, Daniel P. Huffman, John B. Hildreth, John Brady, Francis Dougherty, Joseph Richardson, Jesse Smith, Abraham Mann, Sr., John Newlon, George W. Wolf, John Pearson, James Waters, J. K. Richie, Thomas F. Collison, Henry Oakwood, John Kyger, Aaron Dalbey, Jesse Davis, William Fisher and David Fisher. Harvey Steams was born in Vermont, but went to New York, where he lived until after his marriage with Miss Fannie Lockwood. Together they went to Ohio in 1814, where he bought a small farm and remained on it until 1832, when he came to Vermilion County, Illinois. He reached here after the government had stationed troops to protect the settlement from the Indians. Mr. Steams was the father of eight children. He died in 1847 and his wife survived him until 1877. His son Alvan was sixteen years old when he came into the county and he walked all the way from Ohio driving cows, sheep and hogs. His younger brother, Calvin, walked with him. Living sixteen miles from Danville the young man was often obliged to go that distance to call a physician after night. Their market was Chicago and many times he drove there to sell his wheat and bring back groceries and other supplies. Mr. Steams was greatly trusted by men, as is shown by his having been made assessor and collector for many years, as well as having administered a number of estates. Among the estates which he administered are to be numbered those of his father and fatherin-law, Mr. Lee, also Aaron Hardin, William Clutter, Alfred Hardin and the immense estate of Mr. Yount. John C. Dicken's father, a native of Kentucky, came to Coleman's Prairie, Vermilion County, Indiana, and was the third settler there. His son, John C. Dicken, came to Vermilion County, Illinois, in 1832, and settled in Elwood township. There he married Hannah, the daughter of William Golden. They were the parents of ten children. Mr. Dicken moved to Georgetown in 1853 and in the following fall he went on to Ridge Farm. He put up a store and carried on general merchandise for several years. He then went to Newman and built the first store in that place. He sold goods there two years, then returned to Ridge Farm, where he died in 1873. His wife died thirteen years before him. Daniel P. Huffman came from Kentucky in the fall of 1832 and settled in Newell township, and the family homestead did not pass into strange hands at his death, which was the case with too many of the early settled farms. Mr. Huffman did not live to make much of a farm, since his death took place within four years. His wife survived him twenty-one years. Since there was no burying ground within ten miles, the parents were both buried on the farm, in a pleasant place, a few yards from the residence. John Brady was a native of Virginia and his wife of Ohio, where he took up his residence and remained until 1832. At that time he came west and took up land in Danville township. Here they were among the early settlers, and they lived the remainder of their lives at this place. Mrs. Brady died in 1848 and Mr. Brady survived her until 1855. Francis Dougherty was the master of both the trades of shoemaker and stone-mason, so that in coming to Vermilion County in 1832 he found much need of work in both lines. He lived in Vermilion County until his death in 1860. He was born in Maryland. His wife, Christian, died in 1851 at the advanced age of ninety-one years. When Mr. Dougherty came to Vermilion County in 1832 he settled on the Little Vermilion river in Carroll township, about one and a half miles northwest of where Indianola is now located, where he stayed over winter, and then bought land from the government one mile north of where Fairmount is. Of their family of children, Samuel Dougherty married Jane Dalbey, the daughter of Aaron Dalbey. Aaron Dalbey also came to Vermilion County in 1832. His first wife and the mother of Jane Dalbey was Christina, and at her death was the mother of five children. Mr. Dalbey's second wife was Nancy Kizer and his third wife was Henrietta Catlin. Jesse Smith was a native of Virginia and migrated to Tennessee at an early age. Thence he came to Vermilion County in 1832 and settled on section 18. He was a tanner and a farmer. His first entry of land consisted of 160 acres, which he added to from time to time. His produce, to find a good market, had to be taken to Chicago. At that time the best price was $1.50 per hundred for pork and a good cow would be sold for not more than $10. Abraham Mann, Sr., was one of the early settlers who made a lasting impress on the county. He came in 1832 and made his way into the interior of Illinois, here to bear an important part in making the county. Although coming directly from England Mr. Mann did not come without some knowledge of conditions in the new world. His father had been in the Mississippi valley during his early manhood and had then gone to spend his last years in England. He had doubtless told his son of life on this side of the water and made him familiar with conditions of living here. Mr. John Mann, the father, came to America while yet it was counted among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. He came in the interest of a London firm dealing in paints and oils, of which he was a member. He located first in New Orleans and penetrated into the interior of the Mississippi valley when but few settlements had been made on either side of the great river. Passing up the Mississippi in a canoe, he went as far north as the St. Anthony Falls (later Minneapolis and St. Paul), trading with the Indians and shipping his cargoes down the river to New Orleans. After the Revolution, Congress gave him grants of land in Louisiana to the amount of thirty thousand acres, to compensate him for the losses he had suffered because of the war. Later, after America was no longer one of the British colonies, Mr. Mann returned to London where he lived the remainder of his life. Abraham Mann, Sr., his son, was born in Leighton- Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England, October 4, 1785. Determining to make the new world his home, he sailed, with his family, for the United States, taking passage at Liverpool on a sailing vessel which, after a voyage of seven weeks, reached the harbor of New York. He was in company of his brother-in-law, Joseph Smith, and they made their way by way of the Great Lakes to Detroit, Michigan, where they bought saddle horses and rode across the country to Danville, Illinois, settling near Danville, which was at that time but a small town. For miles just beyond the timber about Danville, the great prairie stretched, most of it yet belonging to the government. Mr. Mann entered a claim of six hundred and forty acres on which he built a pioneer house of logs. He entered land from time to time, until when he died he had an estate of five thousand acres to leave to his children. It is impossible to tell all that Mr. Mann did for Vermilion County. He was a power in the advancement of the county, both in the business efforts he put forth in Danville, and the impetus he gave the agricultural interests of the county. He was very prominent in public affairs and was in sympathy with and promoter of every measure tending to make a firm foundation for the development of the county as yet in its infancy. The vast estate near Rossville is a monument to his thrift and longsightedness, and the neat little brick church, well known as the Mann Chapel, made from brick which he himself burned, is equally a monument to his interest in the general welfare along moral, as well as intellectual and social lines. Mr. Mann's wife died seven years after he left England and was buried in the private burial grounds, and he died in 1875 and was buried by her side. J. J. K. Richie came to Georgetown with his mother and grandfather, a lad of six years, in 1832. His father died when he was a baby. They wintered in Georgetown and in the spring moved to a farm southeast of the village. This was his home only a short time and during his boyhood he changed residence several times. When he was old enough to take care of himself, how- • ever, he settled in the county and spent his manhood in the place where he was brought by his grandfather when a boy. John Pearson was born in Avon, New York, and began his connection with Vermilion County when he was thirty years old. He was a graduate of Prmceton College and had read law with Judge George Hosmer while yet living in Avon. He came west, locating in Ravenna, Ohio, for a time, but later started for a more favorable place to practice his profession. He started for Chicago, but stopped at Detroit to visit friends. At that place he took a sailing vessel for Chicago, reaching his destination early in June, 1832. He found conditions such that it was not safe to stay there unless he remained in the fort, and that Danville was the nearest place of perfect safety, there being a company of rangers stationed there, so he came here on horseback to look at the town. During his absence the first steamer arrived at Chicago, bringing Scott's troops, but as well bringing the cholera, and a regular exodus was made from Fort Dearborn. Mr. Pearson's family was taken from the fort and taken to the summit, there to await his return. He took a wagon back and brought them to Danville, where he began the practice of law. He was appointed by the legislature to the office of Circuit Judge, his circuit being Cook, Will, Iroquois, DuPage and DeKalb counties. This took him to Joliet for his home and later other business caused him to locate in New York city. But his interests were in the west, and he left the east, making the long trip to California, where he had many experiences, and finally returned to Danville, where he spent his remaining years. Judge Pearson died in 1875. Henry G. Boyce came to Vermilion County with his father from Ohio, being a native of New York state. He began working as a carpenter in the then small town of Danville for Mr. Beckwith and Gov. Leander Rutledge. Mr. Boyce was married to Eliza J. Potter in March, 1833, and lived on Walnut street, where their oldest child was born. In 1833 Mr. Boyce went to Chicago, where he was soon joined by the father, brother and brother-in-law of Mrs. Boyce, who all together dug the cellar for the first brick house ever built in Chicago. When he went there, there were but two houses between Danville and Chicago. He remained in Chicago that summer that he might earn money to pay his taxes, and then returned to Danville where he bought land along Walnut street. Mr. Boyce was kept busy putting up houses in Danville and worked faithfully at his trade until 1850, and in 1856 he was appointed postmaster at Danville. He served until the incoming of President Lincoln, and then later during President Johnson's term. He was an active member of the Methodist church. He died in 1873. Henry Oakwood was the founder of a family in Vermilion County which is at the same time large and well esteemed. He came to the county in 1833. He was a man of very genial temperament; was strong, athletic and kept himself well posted in the affairs of the times. He had a family of six sons and three daughters. Rev. Michael Oakwood was the son of Henry Oakwood and was a well known preacher in the Methodist church in an early day. As a young man of twenty-seven Samuel Frazier came to Vermilion County, in 1833. He located on the tract of land two miles northwest of what is now Catlin, but then was a lonely prairie. He was born in Ohio, but spent his years of growth in Dearborn County, Indiana. When he was eighteen years of age he started out for himself, trying flat-boating and steam-boating, and in 1824 was in Natchez about the time of the visit made the United States by Gen. LaFayette. Mr. Frazier married Miss Beulah Ann Finley, and spent two years or more in Indiana. In the fall of 1833 he bought 200 acres of land in Vermilion County, Illinois, and set to work to improve this property. When Mr. Frazier reached this county, Danville was a little town of only 400 or 500, but it was the county seat, and a courthouse was built. Mr. Frazier worked on the farm improvements, and after remaining there two years he sold out for $1,000, but afterward raised another crop on the same land. He then moved into Danville, settling on Vermilion street, between Main and North streets, where he lived until he bought land on Main street. He conducted a hotel one year, then bought property on Main street, where he built a large brick block, extending from the courthouse to Hazel street, and known as the Frazier block. He lived there for 25 years, keeping his hotel for five years of that time. He was elected sheriff of Vermilion County in 1840 and held the office for eight years, being the third man elected to that office. Upon retiring from this office he began buying cattle and made many a trip driving them through to Chicago, when the country was all open prairie. Mr. Frazier was one of the early merchants, being the senior member of the firm of Frazier, Lamm & Company for two years, at which time Mr. Lamm withdrew and the firm name became Frazier & Gessie, (the latter his son-in-law.) Another two years and he assumed the entire charge of the business, and no further change was made for about ten years. At that time the war of the rebellion broke out and Mr. Frazier, who was fully imbued with the Union sentiments, raised the first company of men in the county. Capt. Frazier and his company, which was assigned to the 12th Infantry, went to Cairo and served three months, after which they were sent home. Capt. Frazier thereafter attended to his business interests. He was a large land owner and was one of the first directors of the First National Bank, and he was interested in most the enterprises tending to build up the town. Capt. Frazier was the father of twelve children, but of these only five lived to maturity. The eldest son, Edward, entered the army, was taken ill and coming home, died ten days afterward, at which time he was but nineteen years old; Angeline, became the wife of Jas. H. Phillips; Mary F. became the wife of M. A. Lapham; Florence, became the wife of W. W. Phillips, and De Witt C. the youngest child. Mr. Frazier died in September 26, 1891. William E. Russell was a native of Middletown, Connecticut. He was a merchant in the east and when he came to Vermilion County in 1833 he engaged in the same business in Danville. He also was in the loan and land business to a limited extent. He was a democrat and prominent in public affairs. Alexander P. Chesley came to Vermilion County about this time. After coming to Danville he was at one time appointed postmaster. James Duncan came to Vermilion County with his family of boys and located near the state line. After his son Darius went to work for himself, he bought and fed, and afterward sold cattle and other stock, until he became a man of wealth. His operations in the line of dealer in stock became enlarged to the extent that he was recognized as one of the most extensive buyers in Illinois. He bought cattle and hogs and horses and sheep and shipped them to Chicago and the eastern markets. He invested his money in land and constantly increased his wealth until he became burdened with responsibilities. In 1865 he sold one farm for fifteen thousand dollars, and moved to Danville. Later he sold another farm for twelve thousand dollars. He invested this money in property in Danville. Here he continued shipping stock for some time, but at last he was no longer able for the exertion and lived a retired life. Mr. Duncan was twice married, his first wife was the daughter of James Newell, the man for whom Newel? township was named. He had several children by this marriage, and after the death of his wife he married Mrs. Caldwell from near Potomac. They had two sons. Mr. Duncan died in 1893 and left a good property for his widow. She survived him seventeen years, during which time everything was lost. Mrs. Duncan died in 1910. It was in 1833 that Abner Frazier came to Georgetown, where he located and became a merchant. His business was continued through his life and his son carried it on after his father died. Abner Frazier was the father of eight children. There were Perry, Mrs. James Snapp, Mrs. Sophia Newlin, John, Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs. Dr. Mendenhall, and Mrs. W. E. Moore. One died very young. Dr. W. W. R. Woodbury was a well known name all through the century which began with the thirties. Coming to Danville in 1832, he went into Dr. Fithian's family and in the course of time studied medicine under his guidance. He graduated from Rush Medical College in 1830, but never practiced his profession to any great extent, because he became interested in the drug trade with Dr. J. A. Sconce and finally made it a permanent business. He began in the drug business in 1850, and in 1910 his successors, of whom the most of the ones interested in the stock are his children, held their fiftieth year celebration. In company with John W. Myers, he built the Lincoln Opera House. At that time this enterprise was the wonder of the community. The proprietors were laughed at for their monument of folly, as it was called, but fortunately real estate took an upward turn at this time and the venture was a success. Dr. Woodbury filled several public offices, one of which was that of mayor. He built a number of houses in the city and has added four or more additions to the city plat. In 1853 Mr. Sconce sold out to John W. and Steven Myers and in 1857 Steven died and in 1857 Steven died and Dr. Woodbury bought out their interest and afterwards run the business by himself. For more than fifty years the Woodbury drug store has been on the same lot. Dr. Woodbury died in -- [no date in book]. Dr. Woodbury was married three times. His first wife was a daughter of James Newell, his second wife was a Miss Myers, and his other wife was the daughter of Amos Williams. Dr. Woodbury left six children, three sons and three daughters. Henry Oakwood opened his farm in 1833 and the beginning of the village of Oakwood was made. Henry Oakwood remained there the rest of his life. Jesse Davis came with his parents in 1833 to Catlin. He located on section 36. Mr. Davis died in 1834 and his wife survived her husband thirty-six years. David Finley came to near Catlin in 1833 with his grown family. Among them were the son. Watts, a daughter Nancy (who afterward became the wife of Samuel Frazier), and son Miller. His other daughter was the wife of Samuel Frazier at the time they all came from Ohio. Mr. Finley's son Miller went to the Mexican war and there lost his life. After the death of their father, Watts, Miller, and Nancy settled on a farm of twenty acres in section 25 and 24, town 23, range 12. Later Nancy became the wife of Samuel Frazier and Watts married Miss Margaret Davis. Hon. Jacob Oakwood was three years old when his parents brought him to Vermilion County. They settled, as has been stated on another page, near the present day village of Oakwood until Mr. Oakwood, the father, died in 1855. He was buried in the Mount Vernon cemetery. The children of this well known pioneer family were named as follows: Henry, Michael (a Methodist preacher), Mrs. Margaret (George A.) Fox, Jacob, Mrs. Amanda (Rev. Eli) Helmick, Samuel, Mrs. Matilda (Henry) Sallie, Martin R. and Morgan H. These children were all well taught, better than the average, and they have been a strong factor in the development of the county. Jacob Oakwood, in particular, was very prominent in the affairs of the county. He was always chosen an authority in agricultural matters. He was chosen as president of the Vermilion County Agricultural Society, because he could best fill the place. His influence was always on the side of improved farming. He was as intelligently interested in all political issues of the times. In 1872 he was sent to represent the county in the legislature. While there he was helpful in securing legislation that was of value. He served on important committees and took the greatest pains to inform himself regarding all things he had to decide upon. Jacob Oakwood married Miss Mary I. Caraway, daughter of Charles Caraway, one of the early settlers. These years of 1834 and 1835 were the dates when many of the citizens of Vermilion County sold out their farms and went to Wisconsin in the search of wealth. Probably twenty-five families went from Blount township and as many from other parts of the county. The lead mines of Wisconsin were beginning to attract attention and the people thought they saw a chance to get rich quick. Among those who went at this time were Mr. Blount, the man after whom the township was named, Mr. William Lane, John Snyder, and the Magees. Of the newcomers into the county a few may be mentioned. There were R. T. Leverich, William I. Moore, L. T. Palmer, G. W. Holloway, J. H. Lockett, C. E. Loring, Dr. Theodore Lemon, and many others. William McMillen was one of these newcomers and he brought his family with him, settling in Blount township, on section 30. Daniel Loring came from Coal Creek, Indiana, whither he had gone from Utica, New York. Mr. Loring stayed in Indiana only a short time, only perhaps a dozen years, the wagon which brought them from the east had not been destroyed and carried them to Vermilion County when the time came that they were decided to go on west. This wagon was a wonder and was said to be the most solid wagon ever brought to this county, and the only one of its kind. It was a covered wagon built of sawed logs fitted on axles. C. E. Loring, the only son of Daniel Loring, was a man of twenty-five when he came with them from Indiana. Before this he came into his inheritance from his mother. The amount was $150.00, but to get it he had to go back east. To get there he hired out to be a hand on a flat-boat and in that way went down the Wabash river, the Ohio, the Mississippi, thence on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and he reached his destination at Boston. With one hundred dollars of his money he bought eighty acres of land. There was not even a rail fence on the entire place. Nothing daunted, Mr. Loring began to break the land, with the yoke of oxen the other fifty dollars of his inheritance had provided. Mr. Loring's friends were all the people who knew him, so that when in the seventies he lost his eyesight, all the community grieved over his affliction. He was the more afflicted because he was a man who loved to read and it was hard to give this up. Mr. Loring, however, lived many years after this affliction came. Mr. Loring died in 1899. When Zachariah Robertson was twelve years old his father's family came to Vermilion County from Kentucky. They settled on section 36, Newell township. His father was married the second time and was the father of nineteen children all told. He was a revolutionary soldier. When the family came it was in a covered wagon, camping out by the wayside at night. When they came to the Wabash river the son, twelve years old, waded, driving the stock before him. There was much wild game and hunting and fishing could be had to one's desire. Mr. Robertson entered forty acres of land and built his pioneer home. Here he spent the remaining years of his life. He lived to be ninety-four years old, and died in Newell township at where Bismarck now is built. Edward Rouse came to Vermilion County in 1834. He had been here the year previous, but returned to Ohio and did not locate until at this time. He located in Danville township and in 1849 moved to Newell township. His father and mother, Reason and Martha (Olehy) Rouse, had made all arrangements to come to Vermilion County some years before this time, when just as they were almost ready to start, the father sickened and died. With a courage strong and a rare resolution, the mother braved the new country and came with her family of little children. However, she did not live to make them a home in Illinois, but died within six months and the children found homes with relatives. William I. Moore came to Vermilion County in 1834 and located in Pilot township. He developed the now well known farm owned by Mr. Wiley Fowler, who has made it famous. Mr. Moore was born in New Jersey and came west he was about thirty years old, buying cheap land, and also selling goods to great profit. He used to buy large quantities of pork, flour and other produce and store it in large warerooms at Perrysville, Indiana, and when he had secured the amount he desired shipped it down the Wabash river to New Orleans. He did this shipping by the flat-boat, the method of the time. In 1844-45, Mr. Moore served Vermilion County in the State Legislature. Richard T. Leverich and his brother were men of affairs in the county, coming in 1835. He went into Dr. Fithian's store right away, having made such an arrangement before leaving home. Mr. Leverich was born in Queens County, New York, and lived there during his boyhood. When he came west, he came as far as Dayton, Ohio, where he rode Dr. Fithian's horse to Indianapolis, and thence came in the stage coach to Perrysville and from there to Danville. It took him about two weeks to make the trip. Mr. Leverich clerked for Dr. Fithian for three years and then went into partnership with L. T. Palmer, in the general store business, where he remained for fourteen years, after which he and his brother were partners for some five years. This partnership concluded and Mr. Leverich continued the business alone for five years more, when he went on his farm, where he remained until his death. Mr. Leverich married Lydia Gilbert, the daughter of Solomon Gilbert, one of the most prominent of the earlier settlers. John Vinson was born in Bourbon County in 1823, and came with his parents to Fountain County, Indiana, in 1834, where he lived for a short time. They soon came to Vermilion County and settled on a farm near Newton. In 1843 he married Elizabeth Trimbell, a daughter of William Trimbell, Sr., and made his home near to the parents of his wife. After a time Mr. Trimbell induced his son-in-law and his wife to purchase a farm of him out on the prairie, so that they might better care for the cattle which he was raising. This farm proved to be a fine one and at the time of his death, in 1893, he was possessed of as fine a farm of 400 acres as was in Pilot township. Mr. and Mrs. Vinson were the parents of nine children, all but one of whom survived him. He was converted in the Methodist church at the age of 17, and lived a consistent life, being licensed to exhort by the Illinois Conference in 1853, and in 1855 was ordained as minister of the gospel. He never took a charge, but was a local preacher all the rest of his life. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1853, and held that office for twenty-four years. He was a volunteer in the Civil War, being made First Lieutenant of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but after the battle of Perryville, he came home on account of ill health. He afterwards helped raise a company, and was made First Lieutenant of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, and served with honor until the term of his enlistment was over. After he returned home, he lived a quiet life in the same part of Vermilion County that had been his home since he came from Kentucky. He died September 26, 1893, and was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Emberry chapel. He was the son of Abigail Vinson, who was very well known and loved and who survived her son, although she was at the time more than one hundred years old at the time of his death. Abigail Vinson, the mother of the Rev. John Vinson, came to Vermilion County in about 1877 and was one of the best known people who ever lived in what is now known as Pilot township. Her life was one of usefulness and self-sacrifice. She served humanity through a long period of years, and it has proudly been said of her, that she was at the bedside of more sick people than any physician of the neighborhood. The night was never too dark, nor the weather so inclement, that she would refuse a call of distress. Often she would find her patient, illy prepared to meet the coming little one and "Grandma Vinson" as she was called in loving terms, would take of her own garments to keep the little stranger from the cold. Her son often said that she would ride twenty miles to beg a garment and then ride ten more in the other direction to deliver it and think it no hardship. A generation arose to revere her name and to hand it down to succeeding generations in loving memory. Mrs. Abigail Vinson was born in Maryland, in 1793. Her maiden name was Abbie McDowell. She moved with her parents to Bourbon County, Kentucky, where she lived for several years, and was there married to Henson Vinson; together they moved to Indiana and lived there a short time, after which they moved to Vermilion County, Illinois. She was ever called generous and kind hearted, always encouraging and never discouraging those with whom she came in contact. She was the best substitute for a doctor in that part of the county, and has ridden many a mile in all kinds of weather to attend the sick. She was the mother of nine children and was always in the best of health. She died January 30, at the advanced age of 102 years. She was buried in the Glenburn cemetery. Theodore Lemon, M. D., came to Vermilion County from Bunker Hill, Virginia. He made up his mind to settle in Danville, Illinois, upon his finishing his studies in medicine, because of the fact that his brother had come here in the previous year. He came in company with his uncle, the Rev. James Chenoweth. Dr. Lemon taught school in the Presbyterian church for a year after he came, before he attempted to practice to any great extent. Soon, however, he established a lucrative practice, and it extended for many miles in every direction. He was one of a large family of children, and they came to Danville and marrying into the families of the pioneers, made a large relationship an connection, in the community. One sister married I. R. Moores and one married John H. Murphy, and went to Oregon. His sister married W. T. Cunningham, the brother of Mrs. O. L. Davis, and died in Danville. A brother of Dr. Lemon was a practicing physician in Fairmount for some time Dr. Lemon married Lavinia Sconce, who was born in Kentucky, but whose parents came to Vermilion County when she was but a child of one year. Dr. and Mrs. Lemon were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy, and the others all grew up and spent their lives in Danville. Dr. Lemon was the cousin of Hon. Ward A. Lemon; the Danvil1e law partner of Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Lemon died in Danville in December, 1885, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was buried in Spring Hill cemetery. Capt. G. W. Holloway was a man well known and well liked, who came to Georgetown township in 1835, a lad of twelve years. His father settled in the township, and after he grew to the time of starting for himself, he went to Georgetown and entered into partnership with Henderson, Dicken & Company. This firm name soon changed to Henderson & Holloway, which continued until the spring of 1874, at which time Mr. Holloway took sole charge of the business. In 1862 he enlisted in the. One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Regiment, and was made captain of Company D. He remained in the service until the close of the war. Mr. Holloway married Miss Sophia Lyons, who was from Massachusetts. They were a family of influence in the county, socially as well as in other ways. While Capt. Holloway was on the field with his regiment his brother Jesse, together with Mr. Henderson, conducted the business. After his return, the firm bought a mill and Mr. Holloway turned his attention to the management of that. Levin T. Palmer came to Danville in 1835 and continued to reside here until his death in the year 1900. He was for many years a leading merchant, but during the later years of his active business life he was engaged as agent and trustee in loaning money for eastern capitalists. He was a man of sterling integrity, his word being considered as being as good as his bond. His acts of charity were extensive in number and amount though unostentatious. The appeal of the needy never met with refusal. One who knew him well and long when asked what he considered the most prominent services which had been rendered to the public, replied, "he stood for many years as a terror and obstacle to all those who sought by dishonest or unlawful means to take money from the public treasury. It was understood that such attempts would be met by Mr. Palmer backed by his courage and money. It is impossible to estimate the sums saved to the public by the mere fact that Mr. Palmer was known to be on guard. In 1866 and 67 an attempt was made to build a bridge at public expense on the site now occupied by the Mill Street or Woolen Mill bridge. The means used were illegal and Mr. Palmer fought the case in the courts and prevented payment for the bridge from the public funds. As characteristic of Mr. Palmer's honesty, he refused to use the bridge and always crossed the stream at the ford." James Cook came to locate on section 10, Georgetown township in 1835. He lived here until his death in 1871, when he left an improved farm which he found a wild piece of ground. John Ray came west in the early thirties and located in what is now Will County, but the Indian uprising of 1832 sent him further south, and he went to Vermilion County, Indiana, whence he came to Vermilion County, Illinois, in a few years. He located on sections 29 and 30, in Ross township in 1835. He entered three hundred acres of land and developed a good farm. In 1835 the Davis family came to Vermilion County and the father entered the largest tract of land that ever was recorded in the land office in Danville. This entry was not made until the year after they first came, however. Mr. Davis left his sons to put in a crop and returned to Ohio, and entered 3000 acres of land in Vance township upon his coming back the next season. Charles Rice was one of the newcomers to Vermilion County in 1835. He settled in Vermilion Grove and was a prominent farmer, and when he died had a fine property to give his heirs. William R. Richards is another prominent farmer of Vermilion County who came in 1835. He was a young man of twenty-six when he came. His father and mother came at the same time, but they did not live for many years. Mr. Richards made a fine farm, to which he added more land, and lived on it the remainder of his days. His farm was in Georgetown township. William Sheets came in 1835 to Danville township, where he and his brother-in-law built a mill, afterward known as the Kyger mill. They carried on this mill for nine years. He sold the mill and went on his farm, where he remained for seven years, when he bought an interest in the mill again and went back to the same, living there for two years. During his two years at the mill, he together with Thos. S. Morgan and Henry and Daniel Kyger, built the steam mill at Georgetown. However, he sold out his interest in the mill before it was run at all. Having no interest in the Kyger, nor the Georgetown mills, he went back to the farm and there remained until his death in August 1879. Mr. Sheets married Miss Elizabeth Kyger and they were the parents of six children. John Fletcher came to Vermilion Grove with his parents, himself a young man, in 1836, John Smith (Eng.), as he always signed his name, came to Vermilion County in 1836 and was a conspicious citizen of Middlefork township all during the remainder of his life. Mr. Shepherd came to Vermilion County in 1836 and settled in what was afterward Oakwood township. He built a mill on Salt Fork that cost $3,000, but died before it began to run. Henry Harbaugh, who is the oldest man in Vermilion County, yet living, came into this section in 1836. He now lives with his children and grandchildren, at the advanced age of one hundred and six years. He is clear in his statements of early days, and tells how he came "down the Ohio and up the Wabash" as far as Perrysville, when he walked on to Danville, thence to Denmark and Higginsville, where he located and where he remained. Thos. B. Newlin came to Vermilion County from Champaign County in 1835, having located in the latter, coming from Virginia some years earlier. He entered land in Catlin township and married a daughter of Stephen Griffith. George W. Wolf of Catlin is one of the few early settlers who can tell the story of pioneer days from memory. His story of a farm in Tennessee where comfort and prosperity was to be had, exchanged for a piece of worthless land in the wilderness of Illinois in the early thirties, by his unsuspecting father who came with his wife and children to Vermilion County at that date, is one of many. The little boy was but a baby and much of the memory shows the suffering of the mother told in after years. Mr. Wolf's parents lived but a short time and his childhood was not a sheltered condition. He early had to make his way in the world, but he made it to some purpose, and now at seventy-eight, he is clear of brain, accurate, and trustworthy as authority on matters in the history of Vermilion County. Mr. Wolf has served the county as Supervisor and in other offices. He was among the last to work in the Salt Works, having been employed there when he was eighteen years old. In 1835, a charter was secured for the Chicago and Vincennes Railway, among the charter members being Gurdon S. Hubbard, (who had moved to Chicago before this time), John H. Murphy, and I. R. Moores of Danville. The same year, a charter was secured from Quincy, to the Indiana state line in the direction of LaFayette, via Springfield, Decatur and Danville, under the name of the North Cross Railroad. Robert Kirkpatrick built a mill on Stony Creek in 1835. It was a saw-mill. He ran it for some years, and then it was abandoned. The historic "Kyger's Mill" was built in 1835. Mr. Hale, the first capitalist to come to Vermilion County, built a mill in 1836. The year 1836 witnessed several changes in Vermilion County, a few of which are here recorded. The State Bank had been chartered in the previous year, and now Danville thought the demand for such an institution merited one being established here. The State Bank was patterned on that of the United States, and had various branches in different parts of the state. A charter was granted incorporating the Danville Academy, in 1836. Amos Williams built the mill on the Big Vermilion river long known as the cotton mill in 1836. The first steam saw-mill was built in this year. The grading of the North Cross railroad was done through Vance township in 1836. It was. a part of the net-work of "Internal Improvements" which swamped the state at this time and were lost in the revulsion of the next year. A number of postal routes were established during that year. One went from Danville to Springfield via Decatur. Another went from Danville to Ottawa. Yet another went to Indianapolis via Danville (Ind.), Rockville, Montezuma and Newport. The western terminus of this line was Danville, Ill. Samuel Porter came from Maryland to Vermilion County in 1826 and settled about a mile and a half east of Indianola, where he died in 1848. Jesse Liggett came to Vermilion County in 1836, and located on eighty acres of land one mile northeast of Newton. Later he bought 160 acres and yet later added more land, until he owned 600 acres in this section. A part of this land was on Middle Fork, but the last purchase was on the prairie. Mr. Liggett had a mill in the bottoms of the Middle Fork which supplied the neighborhood. He lived on the timber farm until he bought the land on the prairie, after which he spent the remainder of his life on the new farm. Mr. Liggett's parents went from Virginia to Ohio when that state had but just been transformed from a territory. He was but one year old at the time of the change of residence. He came to Illinois in 1836, so that his life was almost entirely spent in pioneer ways of living. He was an extensive breeder of cattle and swine and kept this industry up after his retiring to his Muncie home. His last years were spent in comfort in the home in Muncie. Mr. Liggett was the father of eight children and at his death he left each of them forty and more acres of land. Of the men who came to Vermilion County to help in its development it must not be neglected to mention one who did so much by strength and skill of trade as Mr. Tilton, who established a brick kiln and at the same time worked at his other trade of builder. Among other work he built the dam across the Vermilion river for Amos Williams' mill. Dr. A. M. C. Hawes came to Georgetown in March, 1836, and was an extensive practitioner in that part of the country all the remaining years of his life. The year after his coming he married Miss Wilmoth Walters. They were the parents of twelve children. William J. Terrill came to Georgetown about this time, coming from Ohio. He was a good carpenter and his work was found in the early homes. Seneca Stearns came to Oakwood township, in Vermilion County, one mile northeast of Fithian in 1836. Mr. Stearns was born in Vermont, but had moved to Ohio, at which place he was married to a girl of Ohio. He entered land which he improved and lived on until the death of the wife, after which Mr. Steams lived with his children. He died in 1898. The next three years of the thirties witnessed the building of many mills. Early in the year 1837, the grading of the North Cross railroad was begun and was completed from the Champaign County line east. This was done through the influence of Dr. Fithian, who was in the state legislature and foresaw the crash which was to come when this work would be impossible. The Vermilion Rapids was platted and abandoned in the year 1837. Among the newcomers of 1838 and 1839 can be counted a number of men who afterward were prominent in the affairs of the county. The list would include John Cole, Wilson Burroughs, John Newlin, Abraham Sandusky, William Giddings, Mr. Menely and Henson Vinson, as well as Samuel G. Craig, John E. Cooper, Robert Mills, David Clapp, Thos. Church and others. Newtown was surveyed and laid off in 1838 by Benj. Coddington from the southeast quarter of section 25, T. 20, R. 13. The lots -were made three rods wide and six rods long; the alleys were one rod wide. Main street was to extend north and south four rods wide. High street extends east and west of the same width. The plat of the village was recorded June 15, 1838, and given under the hand of Owen West, county surveyor. The first man to locate in the vicinity of this place was Stephen Griffith, but Mr. Griffith was not connected with the town. Mr. Coddington was the first to build a dwelling and within a year Hezekiah Miner built the second. About this time Jonathan Harris put up the first store. William Reed, the first sheriff of Vermilion County, built a dwelling here in 1837. This town, which was never much more than a cross road, had a prosperous life until the railroads brought their stations to compete with it. Its glory has departed so far as being of any worth as a business point, but it is far from having the appearance of an abandoned town one would expect to find. Its few dwellings, church and other buildings are kept painted and an air of being as self-respecting as any town pervades the little hamlet. Benjamin Stites, with his wife, came to Blount township in 1837. They settled at Rickard Corner. The next year they moved to a place two miles south of Myersville, and lived there until in 1857 they moved out of the county. John Cole, one of the most successful of the many men who found prosperity in Vermilion County, came in 1837. He first located on section 20 and 30, in Danville township, and in 1839 he went back to Vermont and brought back a bride. Later he entered and bought much land until he was one of the largest land owners in the county. He had his land in three farms and the one on which he lived was among the best farms in the county. Mr. Cole was married three times. His first wife left him a daughter, who became the wife of Mr. McKee and lived in Danville and whose death was greatly mourned by a host of friends. His second wife was the daughter of Michael Weaver, and at her death she left one son. His third wife was the mother of one child, a daughter. Mr. Cole lived to an advanced age and died in 1910. Jesse Burroughs came to Vermilion County in 1839 from Dearborn County, Indiana, and settled on a farm near Catlin. They lived there a number of years and then changed their residence to Fairmount. Mr. Burroughs died there in 1880. His wife survived him less than a year. Abraham Sandusky (or Sodowsky) came to Vermilion County from Kentucky in 1837. He and his brother Isaac were the founders of the name in this country which has stood for prosperity and success. He had five children when he came to Illinois and settled on land which he made his home as long as he lived. It was on the Little Vermilion and was of great value and has been increased and added to by two generations until now the land which is still in possession of his heirs, and that which they have gained, covers a large part of the southern part of the county. William Giddings was the only member of his father's family who came to America. He crossed the ocean and came directly to Vermilion County in 1837. He was like most of the men who came here, that is, not possessed of much of the world's goods. But he had that which is better, which is a heart full of hope and courage to win. He began at once working at his trade, that of journeyman. Soon with his savings he was able to buy his employer's business, and began the manufacture of wagons and plows. The plows he first made had wooden moldboards. The woods were searched to find the giant shaped trees from which to make these boards. Later he made carriages, wagons and steel plows and made a fortune. He died in September, 1875. He left a family of eight children. His wife, who was born in the same place as he, died the year before he did. Her brother came with her from England, but they stopped in Massachusetts. John Rickart was a settler of Blount township who came in 1836 and went to about nine miles northwest of Danville. Mr. Rickart, with his family, came from Ohio in a covered wagon and bought a tract of land of Mr. Skinner which had some improvements already made on it. He built his family a good house and was well fixed for the remainder of his life. Malichi Mendenhall came to Carroll township in 1838 and lived the remainder of his life there in peace and quiet. He was a native of North Carolina, who spent some time in Ohio, where he was married and whence he came to Illinois. Mr. Allen Lewis came on foot all the way from his native state, New York, to Vermilion County in 1838. He did not walk all the way, there being some fourteen miles where he rode. He took up ninety-seven acres on section 22, and stayed six months, when he went back to his old home and remained three years. During this time he married and in the specified time brought his young wife to his Illinois home. They came to Chicago by water and thence in a prairie schooner. They stopped at near Rossville for a time, perhaps four or five years, then rented a hotel where he entertained the traveling public on their way from Milford. It was the first house of this kind in this section found to be of profit. Mr. Lewis filled the place as host for three or four years. Meanwhile he entered land, but not thinking it of much value, he sold it for $4 or $5 per acre. Before there was a postoffice at Rossville Mr. Lewis was made the postmaster at a small town called Rio. The income from this office frequently was but $1.25 per quarter or $5 or $6 per year. Mr. Lewis was the first postmaster in this part of the county, and he held the office for about four years. Mr. Lewis assisted in the establishing of the first school and has a large part of his time been school treasurer. George Olmsted came to Vermilion County in 1839. Their son Stanley came with them. The father died two years after coming to this section. In coming west this family went down the Wabash river and up the Vermilion river, as far as Perrysville, thence going to what is now Batestown. They settled in that vicinity. The father, Stanley Olmsted, operated a saw-mill known as the Olmsted mill, and beside manufacturing lumber engaged in building flatboats, that being the only mill where such boats were built, and the most of those used in this part of the country were built here. Mr. Olmsted was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a prominent and popular man in the community. When he died in 1848 it was considered a great loss to the county. In closing the list of newcomers to Vermilion County in the thirties it is with a regret that not more of them could be numbered therein. Many prominent early settlers have doubtless been omitted, for it would not be possible to name all. The connection is so close with the life of the next decade that many who are missed here will be found in the following pages, they having come a year or two after the time they were supposed to have come. This decade appears to have seen more people come into the north and west parts of the county than they did before. Even yet there are few in the extreme northern part, but these years have opened up the part of the county covered by Blount, Pilot and Middlefork townships. As the decade previous had witnessed the settlement of the southeastern part and subsequent years opened the northern part the years of the thirties were the time of settlement of the central and eastern part of Vermilion County. At their close all parts, excepting the north and northwestern and a small part of the western portions, of the county have been settled. Cheap land is to be bought, but from individuals rather than from the government.