1882 History
Chapter 26 – Harvel Township
POSITION AND BOUNDARIES — PHYSICAL FEATURES — PRODUCTIONS — EARLY SETTLEMENTS — SCHOOLS — VILLAGE OF HARVEL — ITS EARLY HISTORY — INDUSTRIES, ETC. — VILLAGE CHURCHES — SECRET SOCIETIES
“We cross the prairies, as of old
The pilgrims crossed the sea,
To make the West, as they the East,
The homestead of the free."
By G. N. Berry
HARVEL TOWNSHIP is situated in the northeastern part of Montgomery County, and has the following boundaries: Bois D'Arc Township on the north, Raymond on the south, Christian County on the east, and Pitman Township on the west. It originally included the territory of Pitman, from which it was separated in the year 1878, upon petition of the citizens living in the eastern part of the township. The surface, is generally speaking, level in appearance, especially in the northern half, where, in certain localities, the ground is low, flat and marshy, rendering agriculture exceedingly difficult. Many of these low, wet places have been drained by a successful system of tiling, and much fertile soil has been reclaimed, from which abundant and well-paying crops are produced. In the southern portion of the township, the land is more rolling, although there are no undulations sufficiently high to be termed hills. Prior to its settlement by the whites, and before there were any roads, travelers had no difficulty in crossing the territory of this township in any direction as there were no streams, ravines, hills, woods, or any natural obstacles to impede their progress.
The soil in all parts of Harvel is the fine, black, rich loam, so common in the Western prairie States, and which has given to this part of the country its peculiar advantages as an agricultural district. In many places, it is mixed with sand, drift and rests upon a stratum of clay, thus making artificial drainage comparatively easy where sufficient outlets can be obtained. There is but one stream of any considerable importance within the limits of Harvel, the West Pork of Shoal Creek, into which a number of small streams and rivulets empty. This creek has its source in the western part of Pitman Township, and flows in a southeasterly direction through the southern part of Harvel, crossing the township line at a point in Section 31, about one mile and a half from the western boundary.
This division of the county is almost entirely bare of native timber, there being but few scattering trees skirting the banks of the creek already named, while in the northern part of the township at the time of its settlement there was but one large tree standing alone on the wide prairie.
This tree still stands, and is known as the lone elm. It can be seen for several miles, and in former years was an object of almost veneration to the red men, who held their councils, concocted their hunting schemes, planned their forays against their enemies, and made their treaties while seated under its wide-spreading branches.
Artificial timber-growing is everywhere encouraged, and several groves of considerable magnitude are to be seen at various places in the township. The principal occupation of the people is agriculture, and as a farming country this section ranks among the best in the county. The prairies, clothed only by natural processes, presents its own testimony to the richness of the soil, which, when properly cultivated, returns a rich yield of grain of all kinds. Corn has been one of the principal crops in this township ever since its first settlement, and it matures well and yields abundantly almost every season. The average yield of wheat for the last five years exclusive of 1881, which was an unusually dry season, was about fifteen bushels per acre. The oats grown here are generally heavy, and contain an unusual proprotion of nutritious constituents. Rye yields a good average; barley, timothy, clover, flax, grow here abundantly, while the wild prairie grasses are famous for the nourishment they contain. Garden vegetables, root crops of all kinds, and the different fruits are produced in great variety. The richness and abundance of the native grasses naturally attracted the attention of cattle-growers at an early day, and stock-raising is now an important industry of this part of the county. It was found that pasturage frequently continued fair until nearly winter time, and in the spring grass made its appearance very early, and grew so rapidly that the feeding season was comparatively of short duration. This fact has led several parties to engage in stock-raising, and the business has already assumed considerable magnitude, involving in the aggregate a good proportion of capital. Harvel was one of the most recently settled townships of Montgomery County, although its lands were surveyed and sold many years before any permanent improvements were made. The early settlers were nearly all Germans and French, fresh from their native lands, who came to this country with a goodly stock of that energy and perseverance, so necessary to the success of the pioneer in a new and uninhabited country. According to the most reliable information within the writer's reach Herman Poggenpahl led the van of civilization in the township of Harvel. He came to Illinois from Germany in the year 1854, and located on the northeast quarter of Section 30, near the central part of the township, where he still resides. Interested in all movements calculated to develop the township's resources, he is justly looked upon as one of its leading and influential citizens. C. Courcier, an early settler, made his appearance in the latter part of the year 1854, and purchased land near where Poggenpahl settled, in Section 20. Courcier came from France, and was a man of more than ordinary intellectual culture and refinement. After residing on his place until the year 1866, he sold the land to Joseph Vincent, and with his family went to Texas, where he has since accumulated a vast property, and is now a very wealthy man. The farm is at present owned and occupied by Adolphus Aull. Nicholas Hankinson was among the first settlers in the township, having made his appearance a short time after the arrival of Poggenpahl and Courcier, in the year 1854. The land on which he made his first improvements lies near the central part of the township, directly north of the Poggenpahl place in Section 29. It was sold to William Bail several years ago, who at present occupies it. Several decendants of Hankinson still live in this part of the county, all of whom have been identified with the history and growth of Harvel. The Jordan family were among the prominent settlers in Western Harvel and Pitman Townships, where they came early in 1855. William F. Jordan purchased the southwest quarter of Section 7, and the southwest quarter of Section 8, on the latter of which he at present lives. A. C. Jordan located in the northwest corner of the township, on Section 6, while C. H. Jordan purchased land lying adjacent to the western boundary line in Section 19.
A Frenchman, by name of Jean Baptiste Millett, came to the township in an early day, purchased land and made improvements in the southwestern part, about two miles north of the village of Harvel, in Section 28. The date of Millett's arrival was the spring of 1855. The place on which he settled is at present occupied by the farm of William Bockenwitz. In connection with the township's early history can be mentioned the name of John Munsterman, a stanch old German, who located near the northern boundary, on farm now owned by Conrad Weller, in the summer of 1855. He was a person in whom were combined many of these elements necessary to the successful career and all movements calculated to develop the township's material interest received his hearty and willing support.
Several representatives of this family are living in the township and various places throughout the county. A list of Harvel's early pioneers would be incomplete without the name of B. Tulpin, a Frenchman, who passed over nearly every acre of its territory about the time the first settlements were made. He is now a leading business man in the village of Harvel, where he is operating a store with a stock representing a capital of several thousand dollars. Since the year 1860, the population has steadily increased until now the township is thickly settled with a class of industrious, thrifty- and intelligent people, and it can be said without the slightest tinge of prejudice in favor of Harvel, that it is destined at no very distant day to become one of the leading townships in Montgomery County.
The first roads across the prairies of Harvel were mere paths or Indian trails, which after being changed and improved somewhat, in time became regularly established thoroughfares. There are no really good roads in the township, especially during the early spring months, when they become so muddy that they are only accessible to horsemen. Considerable attention is given to grading and otherwise improving the highways, but the absence of gravel and stone for piking purposes will always cause them to remain in poor condition during certain seasons of the year. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific R. R. runs through the southeast corner of the township. This' road is a great advantage to the citizens of the township, especially to those living in the town of Harvel and vicinity, as it affords ample means of shipping the large amount of corn, wheat and other crops produced in this region. The educational history of Harvel cannot be given with accuracy, although it is evident that schools were established as soon as there were children enough to start them. It is not known who taught the first school, nor could it be ascertained where the first school building was located. Among the first teachers, if not the first, was one John Hitchings, who taught in a small frame building known as the Munsterman Schoolhouse, situated near the central part of the township. This school was taught at some period prior to the year 1860. The second school building was erected about the year 1862, and is known as the Lone Elm Schoolhouse. The first term in this house was taught by William Moore, one of the foremost instructors in the county. There are at present three good frame school buildings in the township, outside of the town of Harvel, which supports a graded school, of which we will speak more fully further on. The schools last seven months in the year, and are at present taught by William Moore, Logan Slater and Mr. Ash. The educational interests are looked after by W. D. Matney, Harmon Hendricks and James Braden, Township Board of Trustees.
The live little town of Harvel is situated in the southeast corner of the township, on both sides of the line which separates Montgomery and Christian Counties, a small part of the village being in the latter. It was laid off by John Harvel, after whom it was named, in the year 1869, at which time there was not a single house standing in the locality. The survey was made by Col. Monroe, a civil engineer, who had been an officer in the rebel army, from which he deserted and came to this part of the State, during the last year of the rebellion. The first sale of real estate in the new town was made to William Van Sandt, who purchased a lot on which he erected a residence and storeroom in the year 1870. He stocked this room with a general assortment of merchandise, and soon had a large, flourishing trade, which was well sustained for a year and a half, when the store was sold to other parties. A second store building was erected in 1870, by B. Tulpin, whose stock of goods consisted of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing and drugs. This store has become a permanent fixture in the town, and the proprietor is deserving of the success which has attended his efforts in building up his large and increasing business. The Harvel Post Office was established in the year 1870, with George Van Sandt as Postmaster. It is at present kept by George Ramsey. Nestor De Moline built the first blacksmith shop in the fall of 1870, which he operated several years. A large elevator was erected by Ira Nelson and D. 0. Settlemire in the year 1873. It is now controlled by Settlemire alone, who handles many thousand bushels of wheat and corn annually. Finding that one elevator was not sufficient to receive all the grain handled here for market, Henry Niehaus built a second and larger one about the year 1876. This is one of the most capacious warerooms on the line of the railroad, and is second to none in the amount of business transacted yearly. Niehaus sold the elevator to H. C. Millot in the year 1879, who at present operates it, doing a flourishing business. A flouring-mill was moved from Litchfield to Harvel in the year 1871, by George Slater. The venture proved a success in every particular, as the mill has been extensively patronized by the citizens of this and adjoining townships for many miles around. The mill is built of brick, operated by steam, and has a grinding capacity of perhaps forty-five barrels of flour per day.
Henry Bennett was the first physician to practice the healing art in Harvel, having located here and built a small office the same year in which the town was laid out. There are now in the village three disciples of Esculapius— John W. Petrie. F. M. Cox and W. D. Matney all of whom are graduates of first-class medical colleges. The legal profession is represented by G. W. Slater and L. L. Slater, attorneys at law and Notaries Public. The village schoolhouse is situated just over the line in Christian County, but as almost the entire town lies in Harvel Township, we think it proper to give the school history in connection with the history of the village.
The first school in the town was taught in Leonard May's hotel, by Miss Effle Kinser, about the year 1871. The present building was erected one year later, and cost the sum of $1,200. It is a brick house containing two commodious and well-furnished schoolrooms, in which schools are sustained during the greater part of the year. The first pedagogue to wield to birch in the building was Samuel Nelson, who taught in the years 1873-74. The present teachers are Misses Ida Clark and __ Clauson. The first hotel in the place was built by Leonard May, about the year 1870, and kept by him for several years. The large brick hotel, situated opposite the depot, and kept by Henry Hauptman, was built in the year 1878, and cost about $3,000.
The growth of the village during the last five years has been steady, many neat residences having been erected and several new stores established. The business interests of the town presents the following exhibit: William Vasel, dealer in groceries and general merchandise; B. Tulpin, keeps a good line of ready-made clothing, drugs, groceries, etc.; Henry Hauptman, makes groceries a specialty; George Van Sandt, Hendricks Bros., John Rogers and H. Tomlinson, keep general assortments of goods, and all report their business good.
In addition to the stores already enumerated there is a hardware and drug store kept by George Ramsey & Bro.; Philip Mangers, boot and shoe maker; Henry Beesman, harness maker; William Putney and Jefferson Davis, blacksmiths; Oscar Young, wagon-maker; John Rogers, barber; Adams & Nelson, dealers in lumber. In a religious point of view, the village is up with the times, as there are two good churches, both well sustained. The Harvel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the winter of 1874, under the labors of Rev. John Cumings. The first public services were held in the district schoolhouse, and it was not until the year 1879 that a house of worship was erected. The original members of this society were eight in number. Their names appear on the church records as follows: George Van Sandt, Isabella Van Sandt, Moses Wright, Mrs. Wright, B. B. Young, Orson Young, Mrs. Orson Young and Mrs. John Hawkins. From this small beginning the church steadily increased, until now the congregation numbers more than forty members, and is in excellent condition. Rev. Cumings preached for the church one year, on a salary of $35, but being a man full of zeal in the cause of his Master, did not hesitate on account of small pay, but put forth all the energies at his command toward building up the congregation, and was soon gratified to note a large increase, both in members and influence. He was succeeded by Rev. W. Roberts, who filled the pulpit for one year and was in turn followed by Rev. John Beckhart. The latter had charge of the congregation one year, also. Rev. __ Slater preached acceptably for the church one year. The present pastor, Elijah Haley, is on his second year's pastorate, and is working in harmony with his congregation, which is considered one of the strong organizations in Raymond Circuit. The present church edifice was built in 1879. It is a neat frame structure and cost the sum of $2,000.
The St. Jacob's Evangelical German Lutheran dates its history from the year 1879, at which time a small organization was effected by Rev. Lewey Sahn of Nokomis, in the Liberty Schoolhouse. At the first meeting ten persons enrolled their names as members. The schoolhouse was used as a place of worship until the spring of 1880, when a very commodious frame building was erected, which is one of the chief ornaments of the village. This house cost the congregation about $3, 000, and will comfortably seat 350 persons. The first pastor was Rev. L. Miller, who taught school in the village; served the congregation until the year 1881. The present pastor is Rev. Fred Berger, A denominational school was established in connection with this church in 1880, with an attendance of fifty pupils. It is, at present, under the management of the pastor, and is held iu the neat little school building which was erected for the purpose in the fall of 1881. The school is well attended at present, and much good promises to grow out of it.
Harvel Lodge, No. 706, I. O. O. F., was instituted on the 23d day of March, 1882, by J. F. Harvel, P. G. of Lodge 413, as Deputy Grand Master for the occasion. The dispensation was granted by Alonzo Elwood, Grand Master of the State of Illinois. The charter members were John W. Petrie, P. G.; Andrew J. Nash, Taylor Boyce, Reuben Rambo, J. M. Williams, Leonard Nash, Newton Corn, C. C. Young and J. J. Carey. First officers elected: Reuben Rambo, N. G.; A. J. Nash, V. G.; Taylor Boyce, Secy; Newton Corn, Permanent Secy; L. Nash, Treasurer. The membership at present is thirteen, and the organization is reported in good working order.
Extracted 15 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, published in 1882, pages 384-390.
