1882 History
Chapter 25 – Witt Township
SOIL, TIMBER AND CONFIGURATION — SCHOOLS, PAST AND PRESENT — THE CIRCUIT RIDER — CHURCHES AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS — MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES
By G. N. Berry.
THE greater share of Witt Township consists of a beautiful, undulating surface of prairie land. Its western and southern parts, though not exactly level, are not so broken as much of the land of East Fork and Fillmore Townships lying farther south. The principal and only stream of note is the East Fork of Shoal Creek, which flows through the township from north to the southwest. In its course it passes through the following sections of land, viz.: 5, 8, 17, 19, 30 and 31. Its bed and banks are very muddy, and the stream, through an unknown period of years, has cut several channels in the soil at different places. The flow of the current is characterized by a sluggishness in some places and by great rapidity in others. The territory through which it passes in this township is nearer level than the land lying adjacent to it in the township of East Fork. During the warmer months of dry seasons, the waters of this creek are very low, and sometimes becomes almost or quite dry, but in ordinary years the stream remains quite full, and sometimes during heavy rains, the current becomes a rushing torrent, which overflows the banks on either side for several hundred yards. The higher portions of land which skirt this creek in the southern part form a very pleasing contrast to the broad stretch of monotonous prairie, and are covered with thick growths of walnut, oak and hickory trees. The largest and best of these trees have been cut down and sawn into lumber years ago, although there are still standing many good sized trees of more recent growth. Among these higher portions of the township are to be seen a number of springs of pure clear water, where the Indians had their camping grounds many years ago and around which many interesting and curious relics have been found. A small stream in the southeast part drains that portion of the township, and flows into Fillmore from Section 10. Another small creek rises near the south central part and takes a northwesterly course, flowing into East Fork Creek, near the line which separates Witt from East Fork Township. The surface soil of this section of the county is largely a black loam, very fertile, rendering tillage easy, and, in an agricultural point of view, this township is one of the best in the county. In the low flat lands along the creeks, the soil contains much decayed vegetable matter, and when properly drained and cultivated produces immense crops of corn and grass. Among the broken and hilly portions in the southern part, the soil is largely sand, mingled in some places with clay in sufficient quantities to make the land very productive and valuable. There is, perhaps, as little waste land in this region as there is in any other township in the county, but very little, if any, being too broken or wet for tillage.
Witt lies in the eastern part of the county with the following boundaries: Nokomis Township on the north, Irving on the west. Fillmore on the south. The eastern boundaries are Audubon Township and Hurricane Township, of Fayette County. It is exactly six miles square, and contains thirty-six sections of land. Forty-six years ago, the area embraced in Witt was comparatively an unbroken wild. The settlers were few and far between, and it was only after a ride of several miles across the trackless prairies, and through the scraggy forests, that the traveler might find evidence of advancing civilization in the presence of a log cabin planted near a spring, or some small stream, or an insignificant board shanty near the edge of a small plowed field on the prairie. Broad expanses of prairie lay around him without the sight of a human habitation, while the woods- along the creeks as yet furnished but few signs that they had been penetrated by the white man, and these signs were principally the blazed paths, made by cutting through bark of the trees, a sign scarcely distinguishable after twilight set in. Here and there corners had been staked out by county surveyors, and they were always a welcome sight to the luckless one who found himself lost on the wide, trackless plains. But the scene has changed marvelously since then, and the wilds of Witt now blossom and bloom like the rose. Her broad, fertile prairies are now divided off into well-tilled farms, on which are many fine and elegant residences, evidences of the prosperity with which the farmer is surrounded and blessed. The iron horse dashes through the verdant fields, and its white plume curls over the smiling land, where peace, plenty and intelligence combine to render the well-to-do and hospitable citizens contented and happy. Witt was not settled as early as some of the neighboring townships of the county — that is, by permanent settlers. A number of squatters entered the township several years prior to the first permanent settlement, but just when they made their appearance cannot be known with any degree of certainty. It is well known, however, that when the first permanent settlers who were owners of the land appeared, there were living in the township, along the creeks, several of these transient settlers, none of whom appear to have made much improvement in the way of tilling the soil or clearing the woodland. The remains of several small cabins are the only vestiges left of these squatters, who packed up their effects and moved on farther west as the country became more thickly populated. The first permanent settlers of the township were two brothers, James and David Brown, who came to Illinois in the year 1831, and located on East Fork Creek, in Section 17. Their two places lay on opposite sides of the stream. David settled on the west side, on the farm now owned by a Mr. Thumb, of Irving, and James located the farm on which a Air. Blipsen now resides. For two or three years, these two families were the only settlers in the township; north and east of them was an unsettled prairie of many miles in extent, while south and southwest were no houses for the distance of four or five miles. About the year 1833, Martin Harkey came into the township, and located a farm in the southwest quarter of Section 17. He came here from Iredell County, N. C, and settled in Hillsboro when it was but a mere hamlet. From Hillsboro he moved to the place in Witt already named, where he resided until the year 1837. Another early settler on Section 17 was Christopher Armantrout. He appeared a short time after the Browns, and settled close to their places, on an eighty acres of school land, which he purchased. He afterward purchased other tracts of land, which are now the property of his descendants. When Armantrout first arrived, his family lived for some time in a little hut built on the piece of land we have already described. In 1837, he bought the farm on which Martin Harkey settled, and erected thereon a more comfortable and permanent residence, which is still standing. Armantrout died in the year 1856, after a long and useful life. By his industry and frugality he became the possessor of a great deal of very fine land, which is still in possession of his widow and family. Two sons are now living in the township — George W. and John L., both of whom are in affluent circumstances, and prominent members of the Prairie View Methodist Church. In the spring of 1839, Joshua Seckler came to the township, and settled in Section 9, on the farm now owned by Christian Balsley. He was a young man of energy, and soon had his new place fitted up with a neat cabin, into which he introduced a helpmate one year later. His brother, M. W. Seckler, followed him to the new country about the year 1840, and settled on the same section, where he resided for a number of years. A daughter of the latter, Mrs. Carriker, still lives on the old place. They were both Carolinians, and men of influence in the community where they resided. In the early part of the year 1841, Williams Lights, from Virginia, arrived in Witt, built a rude dwelling, and began making improvements. Lights located on Section 8, where he resided about one year, after which he sold the place to Alfred Borer, and moved to Iowa. By this time, the township was quite well populated, especially along the creek, and improvements were pushed rapidly forward. The rich, fertile soil allured many from the more thickly settled portions of the southern part of the county, and the prairies were soon dotted with dwellings. Lands at that time were remarkably cheap, and many men in moderate circumstances availed themselves of the opportunity, and purchased good tracts of land which in after years became very valuable. It is a noted fact in this, as in many other townships of the county, that the first settlers invariably selected the lands among the hills, or lying adjacent to the streams, for their homes, thus leaving the richer and more valuable prairie to be taken up by the more fortunate settler, who came in later years. These prairies were looked upon with much misgiving by the pioneers from the mountains of Carolina and Virginia, and were avoided for the more broken and less valuable land which more nearly resembled their old homes. The early settlers of Witt found it somewhat difficult to travel from one place to another for the lack of good roads. Everybody had his own thoroughfare, and for some years the township was considerably cut up by these random roadways, but, in the course of several years, they were straightened somewhat and properly established. The first thoroughfare laid out through what is now Witt was the old Shelbyville and Hillsboro road, which connected those two places. This was in the early clays a route extensively traveled, and was the only highway of any importance between the two cities. The original course has been changed considerably, and it now passes through the township in a southwesterly direction, and is nearer straight than formerly. The second road through the township was laid out about the year 1838, and was known as the Nokomis road. This road enters the township between Sections 3 and 4, and crosses it in a southerly direction, and intersects the Shelbyville road in Section 16. Other roads were planned and laid out to suit various neighborhoods, and after being traveled several years, were finally established and improved. The roads of Witt will compare very favorably with the highways of any other township in the county.
The first school in Witt was taught in the southwest part, near East Fork Creek, in a little log house that had been built by a squatter, and was probably the first building erected in the township. The house was about seventeen feet square, and the first teacher was a man by the name of Gay. The first term was taught in 1836, and, after that date, there were several schools taught in the same place.
There were several schools started shortly afterward at various places in the township, some of which were taught in private dwellings that could accommodate the greatest number of pupils. John Wheat was among the early teachers. He taught the second school in the township in a little cabin about the size of the one already mentioned, which stood on the west bank of East Fork Creek, in the southwest corner. The second school in this place was taught by Benjamin Norman about the year 1839. All of these early schools were supported by* subscription, and, at stated times, the teachers were accustomed to make their regular tours through the neighborhoods for the purpose of collecting their bills for tuition. The first frame schoolhouse was probably the one known as the Prairie Valley Schoolhouse, which was built in the year 1849, and is still standing.
Here the first public school in the township was taught the same year in which the building was completed. The next frame building was erected the following year, and goes by the name of Maxey's Schoolhouse. Since 1850, there have been several good houses built, all of which are well furnished and in good repair.
There are now seven school buildings in the township, and the schools are maintained during seven months of the year.
The first ministers to preach the Gospel in Witt were circuit-riders of the Methodist Church, who preached in the township adjoining on the west. Several meetings were held at different places before any permanent organization was effected. The first society was organized at or near the place where James Brown settled on East Fork Creek, by Rev. Aldridge, who preached for the little congregation for several years.
Their meetings were held in a neighboring schoolhouse until the year 1855, when a house of worship was erected. This house became famous throughout the country for its great revivals.
The organization was moved farther south several years afterward, and the place of meeting again changed to a schoolhouse in the neighborhood. The old building was torn away some time since, and a reorganization of the society effected. Among those who assumed the responsibility of membership at the reorganization were the following: Christian Balsley and wife, George Hightower and wife, Alfred Borer and wife, Mrs. Ellegood, James Hall, J. W. Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth Armantrout, Sarah Armantrout and J. P. Armantrout. The schoolhouse was used as a place of worship until the year 1870, when the present church edifice was erected. This is a neat frame structure, and cost the sum of $900. It was dedicated in 1871, by Rev. W. S. Hooper, of Hillsboro. Rev. George Miller was the first pastor, and to his efforts is the church largely due for its reorganization. Rev. S. H. Whitlock succeeded Miller, and preached from 1871 to 1873. J. E. Lindlay had charge of the church from 1873 until the time of his death in 1875. The unexpired year was completed by Rev. E. E. Cowperthwaite. J. W. West ministered to the congregation from 1875 to 1876; F. M. Dillman from 1876 to 1879; L. T. Janes, son of Bishop Janes, from 1 879 to 1880. The present pastor, J. W. Crane, has been with the church since 1880. The membership will number about forty. A good Sunday school is in progress under the superintendency of George W. Hightower. A society known as the Protestant Methodist was organized in the eastern part of the township in the year 1872. They have a good frame building, but the church is not in a very flourishing condition. At present they have no regular services and no pastor. The Sandy Bend Union Church building was built in the year 1880, by the Christian Union and Methodist organizations, which hold services in the house alternately. This Methodist church is one of the points on the Irving Circuit, and was organized a number of years ago, though at what date we were unable to learn. Nothing definite concerning these two organizations was ascertained, though it can be said that they are in a flourishing condition, and are doing good work for the Master.
The next church which claims our attention is the Witt Methodist Episcopal Church. The circumstances which led to the organization of this society are worthy of mention in these pages. William L. Updike and wife moved into the village of Witt in the year 1860. At that time, there was no organization in the place, nor nearer than five miles. The first Sunday after moving to the place, Mrs. Updike took a ride through the country, and seeing quite a number of people at work in the fields as usual, conceived the idea of organizing a Sunday school. Word was circulated throughout the neighborhood to that effect, and the following Sunday saw eight children and a few grown persons at her house. These she organized into a school, and an hour was spent in religious exercises. The next Sunday, the school had increased to eighteen. It continued to grow in numbers each week, until her house would not contain the crowds.
Encouraged by the success of her Sunday school venture, she determined to have a church organized, and accordingly went to work to that end. Rev. John R. Chapman was invited to preach in her house, a room of which was fitted up for that purpose. He accepted the invitation, and a two weeks' meeting was held, which resulted in several conversions. After this meeting, Updike and family moved into another house and fitted up their old residence for a place of worship. Another protracted meeting was held the same winter for about six weeks, during which about thirty persons professed conversion, and the church was accordingly organized. Prominent among the first members were the following: A. Duncan and wife, William Updike and wife, Samuel Williams and wife, J. R. Chapman and wife, John Deer and wife, A. F. Duncan and wife, Samuel H. Wiley and wife, George McClure, Theresa Chapman, Andrew Chapman, Mrs. George McClure, John Lohr and wife, William Lohr and many others. The congregation continued to meet in the residence of Updike until the spring, when the place of worship was changed to the warehouse of William Woods. Their church building was erected in the year 1876. Its dimensions are 32x40 feet, seating capacity about two hundred and seventy-five. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. J. B. Rhodes, who preached one year. Hazen preached one year; Stubblefield, two years. George Campton preached a short time; E. Randall, one year. The following pastors have had charge of the church at different periods: J. W. Lapham, __ Brooks, __ Cunningham, __ Hamill, __ Muhler, and C. R. Howard, present pastor. The church has declined considerably in numbers during the last four years. The exact membership was not ascertained.
The Witt Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1873, by William McDavid, with a membership of about thirty The following were some of the original members: J. Lohr and wife, Mary Lohr, W. Updike, Eugene Updike, William Lohr and wife, Christian Marks and wife, Maggie Marks, James B. Marks and wife, Alice Marks. The public services were conducted in a vacant dwelling house, which stands in the rear of Wubker's store. This building served the congregation until the year 1875, at which time the beautiful edifice in which the congregation now worships was erected. This is a frame building, dimensions 30x38 feet, and cost about $1,300. Rev. T. W. McDavid preached for the church two years. He was succeeded by W. C. McDavid, who ministered to the congregation for four years, and was in turn followed by Rev. William Turner, who preached but a short time. __ McHenry preached for one year, and was succeeded by Rev. __ Baker, present pastor. Officers of the church — William P. Strain, Adam Bolt, C. Marks — Elders; James Barton, N. Bentz — Deacons; John Schooping, Superintendent of Sunday school.
The first mill in the township was a small affair in the southwest corner, on the farm of David Gregory. The machinery was run by horse-power and ground nothing but corn during certain days of the week. Gregory afterward built a carding machine on his place, which was also run by horse-power. A saw was attached, and in addition to carding wool, he managed to saw some lumber. This machinery was in operation but a short time. This was the only mill, with the exception of the one at Witt, ever erected in the township. The village of Witt is situated in the northwest corner of the township, on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, and dates its growth from the year 1869, at which time the first building was erected by William Woods. This was a storehouse and was stocked with a general assortment of goods by Keys & Bartlett. They conducted a business here for one year, at the end of which time they became financially embarrassed and were compelled to dispose of their stock. Another store was started the following year by Lee Hall, who had charge of the railroad office also, which was established the same year.
Hall had charge of this store two years. The next store in the place was started by Antonio Leon, who run it for a short time and then traded it to Christian Marks for a farm. Marks sold out to Lewy & Leon in the year 1870, who did a good business for ten months. Henry Wubker purchased their stock of goods in the year 1878, and has been in business here ever since. In addition to his stock of general merchandise, he has also a good drug store and deals extensively in agricultural implements. His combined stock will probably represent a value of $7,000, and his business is one of the best in the county.
The Witt post office was established in the year 1869, with a man by name of Keys as Postmaster. The office at present is kept by James S. Vermillion. The first physician to locate in Witt was Doctor Melrath, who came to the place in 1870. D. Luther started the first blacksmith shop in the town, which he worked two years.
N. Bentz erected a large steam elevator and mill in the year 1876. This elevator is said to be one of the best on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad between Indianapolis and St. Louis. The mill has two runs of stone and a capacity of about fifteen barrels of flour per day. The population of the village will not exceed seventy-five, but the citizens are all wide awake and energetic, and the town promises to become a place of considerable importance in the near future.
Extracted 15 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, published in 1882, pages 378-383.
