1882 History
Chapter 24 – Walshville Township
TERRITORY EMBRACED — SOIL AND TIMBER — CROPS — FIRST SETTLEMENTS — SCHOOLS — ELECTIONS — FIRST MARRIAGE — RELIGION, ETC.
"The verdant fields are covered o'er with growing grain,
And white men till the soil, the soil
Where once the red man used to reign."
By G. N. Berry
WALSHVILLE is situated in the richest and best portion of Montgomery County, and was one of the first townships settled by white men.
Its territory was formerly embraced by Bond County, from which it was separated when the division was made, in 18__. It is bounded on the north by South Litchfield Township, on the east by Grisham Township and a part of Bond County, on the south by Bond County and Silver Creek Township of Madison County, and on the west by Staunton Township of Macoupin County. Its length and breadth are each about six miles, and it contains thirty-six square miles of territory, or 23,040 acres. Its principal system of drainage is through one of the forks of Shoal Creek, which flows along its eastern boundary and into which many streams of minor importance, having their sources within the township, empty.
The configuration is good, being, in the greater part, a beautiful prairie land, sufficiently undulating to present a very pleasing appearance. Numerous groves are to be seen at intervals, which relieve the monotony of the prairie to such an extent that many persons, on seeing it for the first time, do not hesitate in pronouncing Walshville the most beautiful part of the entire county. The soil is rich, deep and fertile, and in places where it has been cultivated for at least sixty years, is still very productive. When first seen by the white man, the surface was clothed with a luxurious growth of tall, waving prairie grass, which afforded rich pasturage for numerous herds of deer, buffalo and antelope. There were, also, thick growths of timber in certain localities, consisting principally of cotton wood, hickory, elm. walnut, maple, oak, and other varieties indigenous to the southern part of Illinois.
Among the timber was a luxuriant growth of underbrush and vines of various kinds that rendered traveling through the wooded portions extremely difficult. The majority of the first settlers located in the timber skirting the various water-courses, and in time the greater part of the woodland disappeared before the pioneers ax. The dense undergrowth has also been cleared away, and the wools that now remain present a striking contrast to the forests of long ago, as the space among the trees is beautifully sodded over in many places with a thick covering of blue grass. The best wooded districts are in the eastern and southern parts. Stretching away from Shoal Creek westward, is a broad expanse of prairie, dotted here and there with artificial groves of more recent growth.
These groves, owing to the genial atmosphere and rich soil, grow very rapidly, and within a few years after setting out, the trees are sufficiently large to be sawn into timber or used for fuel.
The leading occupation of this section is agriculture, although considerable attention is given by certain parties to stock raising, and in the near future this industry promises to be quite extensive, as certain localities seem peculiarly adapted to it, there being plenty of rich pasturage and stock water in abundance.
At present, however, it is to the different crops that the majority of the people look for their chief support. The soil appears to be particularly adapted to corn and wheat, although all the other cereals, common to this latitude, are here raised in abundance. Fruit, many varieties and excellent flavor, are to be found growing in almost every orchard. The pioneer's attention was early called to fruit culture, and many old orchards, that have been bearing for years, are to be seen in various parts of the township.
The first line of settlements in the southern part of the county extended from the western limits of Walshville, eastward through Grisham to the central part of East Fork, all of which were made about the same time, or with a few years intervening.
Single families at first came, then in groups of three or four, locating at different places in the same locality, until soon the prairie was thickly dotted with pioneer dwellings. Soon schoolhouses were built, churches organized, mills erected, in fact the foundation of that civilization which makes this part of the State noted abroad was laid. This remarkable development has been brought about within a comparatively short time, for looking back through the vista of sixty years, these broad, fertile prairies and productive fields were the grazingplaces of numerous herds of the wild denizens of the plains and the camping-ground of the hostile savage. Now the rich soil is everywhere broken, woods have fallen, pleasant drives, well-tilled fields, beautiful orchards and delightful homes checker the view, speaking volumes for the enterprise and energy which characterizes the citizens of this township. The first white inhabitants of Walshville were Nicholas Voiles and family. Voiles moved here from his home in North Carolina in the year 1818, and built his log cabin on the farm now owned by George Webster, about one and a half miles northeast of the village of Walshville. He improved this place and made it his home until the year 1826, when he sold it and moved to Schuyler County.
About the same time, Melcher Fogleman, a strong-handed, warm-hearted German, made his appearance and entered the piece of land adjoining that on which Voiles settled. His house was erected close to a large spring among the hills skirting Shoal Creek. This spring was the nucleus around which several other families clustered, and for a number of years was the only water supply for the little community.
Fogleman was a blacksmith, and it was here that the first shop in the township was erected. A son was born while the family resided in this locality. This was the first birth in the township and one of the first in the county. This son is still living, near Litchfield, and is one of the highly respected citizens of the community in which he resides. The next family of which we have any knowledge was that of William Stevens, a son-in-law of Voiles. He came from North Carolina, also, but did not purchase or enter land in the township, being but a temporary resident for about two years, when he moved to Shelby County. Elias Baker took a claim in Section 25 in the fall of 1819. His son, James, came with him and assisted in opening the farm for cultivation.
In about one year the old gentleman became dissatisfied with the new country, and went back to the hills of his native Georgia, where he died two years later.
James resided on the place his father settled for a number of 3'ears, an honored and respected citizen. The place is at present owned by John Kirkland, who has made it one of the best farms in the township. Austin Grisham came to the State when it was a territory, and settled in what is now Bond County in 1816. Four years later, he moved farther north and entered a piece of land where his son, James Grisham, now lives, in Walshville Township. This place is in Section 24, near the southern part. Here his family lived for a number of years, with no neighbors nearer than four miles. The country surrounding their little home was a wilderness infested by wolves, which proved very destructive to their stock.
Different members of the family took their turns in watching the pig-pens at night, but despite all their precautions, many a fat porker was killed, and several calves more or less injured by these gaunt scourges of the prairie. The Pottawatomie Indians had a camping-place in what is now known as Kirkland's Grove, near Grisham's residence, which they visited every year for the purpose of hunting. These Indians were not troublesome, although they would carry off a pig occasionally, when a favorable opportunity presented itself. They discontinued their incursions into this part of the county a few years after the first settlements were made, and save a few scattered bands, none have been seen since 1825. Grisham died in 1852 at the advanced age of eightytwo years. His son, James, of whom a biography appears elsewhere in this work, is the oldest settler living in the township.
Prominent among the early settlers of Walshville who came prior to the year 1821 was James Jordan, a Baptist preacher. He moved here from Indiana in 1820, and entered a tract of land in Section 28, which he at once began to improve. He was one of the first preachers of the county, and a most exemplary man. It was at his residence that the first religious services in the township were held, shortly after he came into the little settlement. He sold his land to Jonathan Voiles, in 1825, and moved into what is now Grisham Township. The place is now owned by Jacob Lindley. Several representatives of the Jordan family reside in Grisham Township, and are justly considered among the best citizens in the community where they live. J. W. Garrison was also an early settler of Walshville, locating on what is known as Miller's Tract, Section 25, about the year 1826. Thomas Evans came the same year and settled on the Robb Mound, two miles south of the village of Walshville. Joseph Pokes became a resident of the township some time previous to the year 1826, but at what place he settled was not learned. Among the early settlers can be named John Evans, Joseph Evans, both of whom came in 1826. Robert Kirkland settled on Section 15 a couple of years afterward. No permanent residents settled in the northern part of the township until the year 1840. At that date, John Simpson and John King bought and improved farms near where Walshville now stands. Since that time, the population of the township has steadily increased, and to give a notice of each family that came, up to the year 1842, would transcend the limits of our space. Probably no division of the county was settled by a more worthy set of pioneers than Walshville, as they were with but few exceptions men of piety and sterling integrity. Such lives were not harvests of regrets, but grand realities, and by imitating their many virtues we may - become better men and more worthy citizens.
Like the early settlers in all new countries, the pioneers of this township were compelled to brave many difficulties and hardships. While it is true that there were no hostile Indians to encounter, nor any very ferocious wild animals to guard against, yet the new condition of the country made it very difficult to obtain wearing apparel, groceries, breadstuffs and other articles necessary to convenience and comfort. The greater amount of trading during the early days was done at Edwardsville and St. Louis, as they were the nearest market places. Flour and meal were obtained at those places in the summer time, but during the winter seasons many families manufactured their own meal by hand, crushing the grain with pestle and mortar, a slow process, but withal a very sure one.
Corn was the most practical staple. The early families, in fact, had to subsist, in the main, upon this product, variously prepared, and yet aside from this chief edible they feasted often upon prairie chicken, turkey, deer and other wild game that thronged the woods and prairie, fish that filled the streams and honey that could be obtained in great quantities from large trees in the forests.
Several small mills were erected in the adjoining townships at an early day, which served as a source of supplies to the citizens of the locality, and until within a comparatively recent period there were no mills of any kind at Walshville.
Very fair roads intersect all parts of the township, as is the case with almost all other parts of the county. The first roads have all been changed somewhat and improved. Some of them were crooked and irregular having been abandoned altogether. During certain seasons of the year, especially in the early spring, these roads became almost impassable in some places owing to the depth of the mud.
The first road that was regularly established was the one leading from Hillsboro to St. Louis. It passed through the township in a southwesterly direction. The Alton & St. Louis road was laid out in an early day also, and at one time was one of the most extensively traveled highways in the southern part of the county. Intersecting this road near the southern boundary is the East Fork road, extending through the township from east to west. Traces of other early roads are still to be seen in various places, but none of them appear to have been roads of much importance. Many of the first pioneers of Walshville were men of culture, and education received considerable attention at a very early date. Emil Clowsen was one of the first teachers in the southern part of the county, but of him nothing is known save that he taught a little school in 1842. The house in which the school was taught was a little log structure that had forruerly been occupied by the family of some "squatter." It was situated in the southwest corner of Section 23.
The second house used for school purposes built on the place where George Hoisington now lives, near the central part of the township. Among the early teachers at this place were Winfield Hicks and Henry Havens, but when and how long they taught are facts which the writer was unable to obtain. The first frame schoolhouse was built in the village of Walshville in 1850. There are now seven good frame schoolhouses in the township well provided with apparatus, in which school is taught from six to eight months in the year. The schools are in progress at the present time and all doing well.
One of the first elections in the township was for Justice of the Peace, held about the year 1850. At this election, Irwin Cory received very nearly the unanimous vote. He held the office several consecutive terms. The first Constable was elected at the same time. The honors of the office settled upon the head of William Towell, who wore them with becoming dignity. In the year 1825, James Jordan, son of John Jordan, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Austin Grisham, at the latter's residence. This was the first marriage that took place in Walshville as well as one of the earliest in the county -. A burial ground was laid out on the farm of John Kirkland, in the southern part of the township, in a very early day, and is now known as the Kirkland Graveyard. Among the first interments here were Peggy Garrison and a child of John Woods. It is not known with any degree of certainty which of the above deaths occurred first, some contending for the one and some for the other. There were several graves here previous to this time, as different parties had been brought here for burial from the little settlement farther south in Bond County.
But limited satisfaction has been derived in tracing up the early' church history of Walshville Township. The first sermon was preached by Elder James Jordan at his residence, but to this we have already referred. The first religious organization of which we have any 7 knowledge was a society of Methodists organized by the noted pioneer preacher, Peter Cartwright, at the residence of Elias Baker, in the year 1824.
This society increased in numbers as the years went by, until it became one of the Methodist strongholds in this part of the county. The residence of Baker was used as a place of worship until he moved from the neighborhood, when the dwelling of Jacob Holbrook was tendered the congregation.
The congregation was finally separated; part of the members organized the congregation known as the Dry Fork Church, in Bond County, and a portion united with the congregation that worshiped at Mount Carmel Church in Grisham Township. The Walshville Baptist Church was organized at the residence of William Kline, about two miles southeast of the place now occupied by the village of Walshville, in the year 1836, by Rev. William Burge. Among the first members of this congregation were the following: William Kline and wife, Reuben Kline and wife, George Varner, Henry Bryant and wife, James Bryant and James Simpson, the greater number of whom have long since left the scenes of their earthly labors to enjoy the fruits of well-spent lives in the "church triumphant above."
The public services of the church during the first eight years of its history were held in private dwellings of the different members. A little log building was erected in 1846, which served the congregation until the year 1862, when it was decided to remove the organization to the village of Walshville, and there build a more suitable temple of worship. A neat frame house was built and dedicated the following year. This building stood but four years, when from some unknown cause it took fire and burned to the ground.
In 1869, their present house was erected at a cost of $1,000. There are upon the records the names of forty -five members in good standing. At present, the church is without a pastor, but efforts are being made to secure one. We will speak of the other churches of Walshville in connection with the history of that village a little farther on. Near the central part of the township is a German Missionary Baptist Church, which dates its organization from the year 1879. The church is small in numbers, but has a very neat and comfortable building, which was erected and dedicated in the year 1880. We were unable to learn any particulars concerning the congregation, and will be obliged to pass it by with above very brief notice.
The beautiful little town of Walshville is situated in the northern part of the township, about two and a half miles from the northern boundary. It is surrounded by an excellent farming country, and its inhabitants are energetic and intelligent.
The first building was erected here in 1850. It was a storeroom built by L. D. Smith, who did a good business for three years, when he sold his stock to a Mr. Bowers. Bowers sold to Chapman & Kennedy, who in turn sold to Michael Walsh in the year 1855. Walsh laid out the village in 1855, and gave it the name by which it is at present known. It was from him, also, that the township derives the name Walshville. One of the first houses was the residence of John King, which was put up about the same year in which the store building of L. D. Smith was erected. I. Irwin had charge of a store about three years. Seymour & Kline built a brick storeroom and stocked it with goods in the year 1855. They conducted the business as partners but six months, when Kline sold his interest to Eli De Shane, who shortly afterward purchased the entire stock, and for several years did a flourishing business. Michael Walsh was one among the first business men of the place, having sold goods in the residence of John King when there were but two or three houses in the place. Hodges & Sanders, Blevins & Denny, Hodges & Boyd, are the names of firms that have sold goods in Walshville at different times during its history.
The first physician was a Dr. Green, who located in the vicinity in the year 1848, and practiced his profession for about two years. Dr. William Williams located here a short time afterward, and for several years was the only physician in the county south of Hillsboro. Samuel Denney, John Wadkins, L. C. Stoddard, Nathan Jayne, Dr. String, E. P. Newberry, have at different intervals practiced medicine in the village. The present physicians are Ambrose Barcroft, John T. Koen, M. S. Davenport and V. B. Barcroft.
A post office was established here in 1846, with John King as Postmaster. It was kept at King's residence for several years. Allison Corlew was the second Postmaster. The office is at present kept by Samuel H. Henderson, at his place of business.
A. J. Sitten erected a neat little hotel in the year 1867, which was extensively patronized by the traveling public. It is now run by William Shurtleff. John G. Hawkins keeps a hotel in the town, also. The Walshville mill was built in the year 1853, by Messrs. Grisham & Simpson. This was a steam mill with three run of stone, and for nine years was kept running almost constantly, doing an immense business for a. mill of its capacity -. It was completely destroyed by fire in the year 1862, entailing a loss of at least 813,000 on the proprietors.
A steam saw-mill was erected in the village in 1855, by Nicholas Price, who operated it about five years, and then sold it to Isaac Parish. It was by him moved from the town to Shoal Creek, shortly after he made the purchase.
John Rud built a steam flouring-mill in 1863, which he operated for two
years. It was sold to F. C. Kirkland for the sum of $7,000, and afterward
purchased by McCracken & Lilly, who ran it at intervals until the present
time. It is not now in operation. There are four neat church buildings and
five religious organizations in the town, of which the following is a brief
history. The Walshville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1850,
with a membership of twelve. Their names, as recorded on the church book,
are as follows: Joseph Price and wife, Anna Price, Edwin Brown and wife,
James Whitesides and wife, Martha J. Whitesides, Caroline Whitesides, Maria
Clark, William M. Towell and wife. The most of these had been members of
previous organizations elsewhere. The church owes much of its success to the
labors of Rev. Rogers, the first pastor and principal mover in the
organization. The first preaching place was the village schoolhouse, which
was used until the Baptist meeting-house was completed, when they were
allowed the use of it every alternate Sabbath. Up to this time the church
had so increased in numbers that it was decided to erect a house of worship
in harmony with its growing strength. The building was erected and dedicated
in the year 1866. It is a substantial edifice 40x56 feet, and, with
improvements recently added, is valued at $3,300. The following is a list of
the pastors who have had charge of the church since its organization: __
Moore, Asa Snell, George Compton, C. J. F. Tolle, David Stubblefield, __
Walker, S. P. Groves, L. C. English and William Van Cleve. Sixty members
comprise the strength of the church at present. Their first Sunday school
was organized in 1867, William M. Towell was the first Superintendent. The
school is now one of the best in the village, and is superintended by T. T.
Smith. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Walshville is one of the live
religious organizations of the township. The original congregation from
which this society sprung was known as the Mount Pleasant Church, and met
for worship in Grisham Township. From this congregation two churches were
organized, the one at Pleasant Branch in Bond County and the other at
Walshville. The dates of these different organizations were not ascertained,
though we may be safe in saying that the latter was organized about the year
1868. Thirty-five names were enrolled at the first meeting, the most of whom
had previously belonged to the old Mount Pleasant congregation. The school
house supplied the wants of the society as a place of meeting about one
year, after which their public services were held in the Methodist Church
until their present house of worship was built. This edifice is situated in
the eastern part of the town, and was erected in the year 1871. It cost the
sum of $2,000. C. G. Keon preached for the church two years; D. R. Bell two
years. For several years the church was without a regular pastor, the pulpit
being supplied occasionally by ministers from neighboring churches.
Rev. R. H. McHenry, the present pastor, commenced his labors in the year
1879, and was shortly afterward regularly called as pastor. A Sabbath school
has been conducted in connection with the church ever since its
organization.
The Christian Church was organized in the year 1874, by Elder A. P. Northcut. The original membership numbered ten. With little influence in society, few in numbers, without a house of worship, and all these disadvantages under the shadow of the three other strong organizations, this little band of disciples, protected and blessed by Him "who doeth all things well," began to increase in numbers rapidly until within a short time it was the strongest church in the place. L. M. Linn, the first pastor, preached two years, and did much toward making the church what it is to-day He was succeeded in the pastorate by Elder J. H. Garrison, of St. Louis, one of the most gifted pulpit orators of his church in the West, and editor of one of its leading periodicals.
He remained about three years, and was followed by Elder J. H. Smart, who preached nearly or quite two years. H. P. Tandy preached one year; L. F. Wood sis mouths. Elder Vance, the present pastor, has been with the church since 1881.
For several years the Baptist Church was placed at the disposal of the congregation, who used the same until 1878.
A new house of worship was then erected, which, in point of neatness and finish, is one of the best church edifices in the county. It was dedicated the same year in which it was built, by J. H. Garrison. The membership is at present about eighty -five. J. T. Koen is Superintendent of the large, flourishing Sunday school. A society known as Free Methodists was organized in 1880, by Rev. F. H. Ashcroft. At the time of organization the society consisted of fifteen members, which has since increased to thirty. Their meetings are held in the vacant storeroom belonging to Mr. Blevins. The present officers of this organization are J. D. Tiffin and N. Neal, Stewards; H. S. Henderson, Class Leader; Miss Norah Neal, Superintendent of Sunday school. Public services every Sunday.
In 1865, the Walshville Lodge, No. 475, A., F. & A. M., was established. The first meetings were held in an unfinished room in the school building, which was afterward fitted up for a hall. The following names were copied from the charter: Isaac Sturges, W. A. Kingston, L. Baily, F. D. Whitesides, William M. Towell, Peter L. Davenport, John J. Miller and M. S. Davenport.
The different offices are filled by the following persons, viz.: A. T. Strange, W. M.; John T. Koen, S. W.; E. M. Root, J. W.; Thomas Greenwood, Treasurer; A. B. Copeland, Secretary; J. J. Davenport, Tiler.
The township of Walshville bore a commendable share in the gallant and patriotic work of putting down the great rebellion. She gave of her sons and citizens with their blood and treasure without stint until the flag of beauty and glory waved in triumph over a united country. It would be invidious to make comparisons between this and other townships, as they all did their duty willingly, fearlessly, well, and their whole duty.
Soldiers from Walshville did service and partook of the dangers and glory of every battle of any considerable note. We would give a list of all the soldiers the township sent to the front were it practicable, but it would far transcend the limits of our space. May the country never need their services more in the dread business which carries fire and sword among mankind) and leaves widespread desolation and blackened ruins where all was smiling plenty. Those who went but never returned — who laid down their lives to avenge the honor of an insulted flag— will never be forgotten. It is the verdict of the loyal heart of Walshville, expressed not without a tinge of regret, that she can well afford to spare her noble dead. May they rest in peace. Let not the flowers that spring from the mold above them be trodden down by soldier nor war-horse.
Extracted 15 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, published in 1882, pages 368-377.
