| HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. |
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SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP. This is one of the largest townships in the county. It is six sections wide from east to west, and is nine sections long. It contains, therefore, 54 sections, or 34,560 acres, none of which is waste land. With the exception of one or two groves, of which mention will be made hereafter, the entire township is prairie. It is, therefore, slightly undulating in its surface, and possesses an unusually rich, productive soil. Taking the township as a whole, there is not a finer body of land in the county. The surface is sufficiently undulating to admit of drainage, and the soil of sufficient depth to preclude its wearing out. The only streams of water to be found are Greasy Creek, in the northeast part; the head of Flat Branch, in the northwest, and Cossel and a branch of Riley Creek, in the southwest. None of these flow through the township, but all head in it, and leave the town from three different directions. This fact establishes another, viz.: that the central part is high land, and sloping in all directions. The town, compared to others, is new, having been almost entirely unsettled until after completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, in whose grant of land it lay. The township took its name from a remarkable grove of hickory-trees situated toward the southwest part. This grove is said to have originally consisted of seven immense trees, standing alone in their grandeur, monarchs of all they surveyed. Tradition has it, too, that they were a prominent landmark in early days; and, further back than the time of the white man’s rule here, they were the shrine and camping-place of the aboriginal sons of the forest. Early emigrants going across this part of the State found them rising before them as monitors pointing out the country before them. Earlier than the emigrants were the surveyors, who came over this section of Illinois when yet a Territory, and who marked the grove on the plats they made of the country. Before them were the scouts and hunters, forerunners of a civilization destined, one day, to supplant the red men. These adventurers found the grove composed of the curious number of hickories, and note it in their annals of the country. From their size when seen by settlers about 1824 or 1825, they must have been more than a century old, and if so, were here when the country was captured from the British by Col. George R. Clark, 100 years ago. Another small grove, known as Anderson’s Grove, exists in another part of the township. It is, however, quite small, and has never yielded trees above a mediocre height and size, or of a quality suitable for building purposes. A curious growth of sassafras-trees has sprung up on the farm of Jesse O’Hair since he settled there. He says he cannot account for the trees, as he knows of no one planting any roots of that tree, or dropping any seed. He supposes the growth came from seeds dropped by birds, or roots left by Indians or travelers. At any rate, the trees have come up in the last quarter-century, and are of a good size. Mr. O’Hair has them fenced about, and uses the grove for a shade for stock. He is quite proud of its existence, and counts it a valuable adjunct on his farm. Aside from what has been mentioned as timber-land, the entire town is prairie. When the first settlers came to the county, they found it a trackless, almost treeless, plain, variegated with here and there a small grove or a single shrub. It was covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, waving in the prairie breezes, the home of the wolf, deer and buffalo. Void of life, save in its savage state, it indeed fulfilled the description of Irving, whose matchless essay on the prairies stands unequaled. These wastes are now the homes of plenty, and, under the hand and influence of civilization, are the finest parts of the county. During the interval between the settlement of the timbered parts of the county and the open portions, the prairies were the scenes of many exciting wolf and deer hunts. The former animals were a foe to young pigs and poultry, even after settlers came out here to live. They ravaged hen-roosts with brazen impunity, often in broad day, but more commonly at night. They also evidenced a desire for fresh, tender pork, and depopulated pig-sties with as much effrontery as they did hen-roosts. To exterminate them, grand hunts were organized. A company of men, sometimes over a hundred in number, mounted on horses, followed by all the dogs and boys who could come, surrounded a certain portion of country, often quite extensive, and gradually closing in the circle, drove all before them. In early times, they would have sometimes a dozen wolves and as many deer in the doomed circle. When the line had been properly closed, a fire from guns and pistols was opened on the animals, care being taken not to shoot over a certain level. The real fun began when two or three ventursome wolves broke the lines and made tracks for liberty and life. Then no shooting was allowed. They must run down the wolf, and that meant a trial of speed and mettle. An ordinary wolf would outrun nine horses out of ten in an even race, and but few dogs could hope to catch him. The exhilarating sport—the spectacle of numbers of horses galloping across the plain in full tilt, after a wolf—gave spirit and vim to the participants, and made the day not easily forgotten. Deer-hunts were conducted by parties only, who depended on their skill as hunters to capture them, and not on the speed of horses or the excitement of a day’s sport. As the country filled with settlers, these pastimes gradually died out, as the game disappeared, until now they are a thing of the past. The prairie is now covered with cattle and fields of grain, and in place of the wild beasts and wild men who once made it their home, the white man finds opulence and ease as a reward for his labor. SETTLEMENT. No permanent settlement seems to have been made here until about 1850. Before that date, as far as we have been able to learn, what few persons came into the bounds of this town came here to herd cattle, and do not seem to have made any permanent residence. The prairie portions of the country were used for this purpose long after the settlers came, they preferring rather to pasture than to cultivate it. About the time of which we speak, however, the attention of emigrants was more particularly directed to this part of the West, as it was found the prairies could be more easily cultivated, when once broken, than the timber-lands. The soil was free from roots and stubs, and more productive. Hence, plows adapted to the turning of the prairie sod began to appear, and farms were entered where not a tree stood. Samuel and John Rosebraugh settled in the southwest part of this town- ship in 1850 or 1851, and with William and Jack Coons, Abner Brown, Benjamin McNeal and Milo Mitchell, may be considered the pioneers of this part of the county, if we may rightly call settlers of that date pioneers. These families, with a few others, came here, opened farms, erected houses and began life—not in log cabins, but in houses that mark the second era in this country. They built frame dwellings because these were cheaper than any other then, and because there was no timber near them from which to get logs to build cabins. They, therefore, did not experience the vicissitudes of a pure pioneer life here. The country was then emerging from an era of hard times and coming to a basis of real prosperity. Railroads were in operation in the Eastern and Middle States, and had even superseded the river travel as far west as Illinois. At Chicago, now the metropolis of the West, one railroad was in operation, and was earnestly extending its lines westward. Charters were being granted to other roads, which were now actively engaged in opening the country. The agitation regarding the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad was claiming the attention of the people and their Representatives in Congress. The agitation culminated in 1852 in the immense grant of land given to that road. Its history is presented elsewhere in these pages, and to it the reader is referred. Suffice it to say, as soon as the route was determined, the country through which it passed settled as if by magic. The lands embraced in the grant extended into Seven Hickory Township, and as soon as they were thrown upon the market, were rapidly taken up. Mr. Jesse O’Hair says that when he came here, in 1854, he does not think there were over a dozen voters in the entire precinct, and these were nearly all in the southern part. He remembers the families we have mentioned, but thinks there were very few others. Those who were here as herders of cattle, lived elsewhere, and could not be counted as residents. They all went to Charleston to vote and for all their trading. When the land came under the control of the Illinois Central road, being partly in their grant, and buyers finding out its exceeding richness, it did not wait long for purchasers. Mr. O’Hair says to attempt to tell individually who came in from 1854 to 1859, the year the township was created, would be to enumerate about one hundred families. From this, it will be seen how rapidly the country was taken up twelve or fifteen voters in 1853 and 1854, nearly one hundred in 1859. That tells the story of its settlement. W. E. Adams says that in 1855, he went to the north part of the township to see after some cattle, and found the farm of J. E. Wyche, fenced, in a measure, and occupied by a tenant. Judge Adams says it was the farthest farm north in the township, and was somewhat isolated, being out alone on the prairie. It was used for a stock farm. He was back there four or five years after, and the prairie was “full of homes.” Each one who came erected frame houses, and began on a farm all prairie. Hence their beginning was entirely different from any who began life in the forests. Here no cabins were built; no hunts for bee-trees and game in the woods occurred: none of the elements of a life on the pioneer plan, as commonly experienced in this part of Illinois, are found. We will, therefore, not go into a needless repetition of the life of the first settlers here. It is given in the biographical part of this book more fully than we can hope to gather it, and to that part of the narrative we would refer the reader. The people came after the railroads were opened, thus avoiding the long journey of those that preceded them. Before they were completed through this county, emigrants came to Terre Haute by way of the railroads, and from thence to their destination in their wagons. After the creation of townships, in 1859, the voting-place was made at what was termed the Nicholas Schoolhouse, where it was continued until the Center Schoolhouse was erected, when that place was made the polling-place, and is now used. Before leaving the history of the township, we will note an event, occurring in 1864, viz., an unusually severe wind and storm. It is referred to in the history of Mattoon, where it did much damage. There it scattered fences, tore down trees, unroofed and blew down buildings, in one case carrying the house clear off the floor, leaving the family—Benjamin Tiff’s—on the floor without any protection. Where it went through the woods, it made a “clean sweep,” taking down everything in its way. Several persons were injured, and some stock killed. Within the memory of the “oldest inhabitant,” it is the severest windstorm that ever visited this region. SCHOOLS. Just as soon as a sufficient number of persons were found in the township to warrant the erection of a schoolhouse, one was built in the southwestern part. This was about the year 1855, some assert a year later. It was a neat, frame building, and accommodated, at first, a large extent of territory. About a year after it was completed, the rapid influx of settlers commenced, and, within a year’s time, several houses were erected. School was opened under the free-school system, that having been established over ten years. No subscription-schools, supported entirely in that manner, were ever taught here. As the lands in this township always brought an excellent price, the sale of the 16th Section brought the township a good school-fund. The population of the township is nearly two thousand, an excellent growth in less than thirty years’ time. CHURCHES. There are only two churches in Seven Hickory Township, though a few are just over its border in other townships, in whose histories they are noticed. The two to which reference is made are the Methodist and Christian Churches. The first of these, the Olive Branch Church, was organized about 1865 or 1866, possibly earlier, and, for a time, like all early churches, held services in the members’ houses. Afterward, the schoolhouses were used. In 1869, a very comfortable frame church was erected, which is yet occupied. Rev. Wallace was among the ministers here about this time, and was one of the active participants in its erection and dedication. The congregation is now in a good condition every way, and supports regular services. Its rapid growth is attributed, mainly, to the sudden settling of the township, and to one or two prosperous meetings. The Christian Church, known as the Rural Retreat Church, began by holding services in persons’ houses, who were professors of this creed. Soon, a start was made, a congregation established, and the meetings transferred to the schoolhouses. As the growth, at first, was somewhat slow, no house of worship was erected till 1865 and 1866. The membership is now about fifty. The first preacher here was Rev. Jesse Campbell, whose successors were Joseph Hosteetler and Nathan Wright, the present Pastor, who now lives in Paris. A BIT OF RAILROAD HISTORY. A few years after the close of the late war, the people of this township, like many others, concluded a railroad, running north and south through their territory, would be a good thing in many ways, and, finding a desire existing in Charleston for a northern and southern outlet, concluded to levy bonds to aid in its construction. Charleston had a watchful eye on the county seat, which Mattoon was zealously trying to get, and saw in the proposed road a fine opportunity to secure that necessary part of her existence. The bonds were voted for, to run a series of years, to bear a good rate of interest, and for them the township was to have a railroad running southward from Tuscola, through Charleston, to some good point. After the project had gotten well under way and, we believe, a little work had been done on the proposed route, it was noticed by a large part of the citizens in the south part of the township that the road would be better for all were it changed and run to Danville. The people of Charleston concurred fully in this idea, as it was undoubtedly better for them. It gave them an eastern outlet then, as well as a northern one, and brought them more directly in communication with the coalfields. The route was changed, then, to go north a little over half-way through the township, then bear northeasterly and proceed as directly to Danville as the nature of the country would allow. No sooner was this broached, however, than the people in the northern part of the township raised a remonstrance to such a proceeding. They did not care to be taxed to support a road that did not come directly to them, and prepared to contest the payment of the bonds. The upshot of the whole matter was, the case was taken into court, where it now rests. Meanwhile, work and all preparations on the road have stopped. The people of Charleston are confident it will be yet resumed, and that one day the railroad will be built. Should the change of route invalidate the bonds, others can be raised, say they, and as the road would be of great advantage to the county seat, strenuous efforts will be made to complete it. COMMERCIAL INTERESTS. Although no town has ever been started in this township, it can boast of a store and a blacksmith-shop. The former was started by John Mason, abouteight years ago, who saw an opportunity to enrich his exchequer and do some good for his neighbors. He has a very good country store, filled with all sorts of goods wanted by the farmers. His stock is decidedly miscellaneous in character, as all such stores are apt to be, as a miscellaneous taste and want are to be satisfied. He carries on a system of exchange, also, getting the products of the farmers, and selling them in Charleston to produce-dealers. The blacksmith-shop is run by J. H. Davidson, and is said to be a good one. It, like the store, saves farmers coming several miles to the county seat for “odd jobs;” and, as there are a good many “odd jobs,” and as Mr. Davidson makes wagons, he has plenty to do. These two employments are the only ones pursued in the township, outside of farming. The country is pre-eminently an agricultural one, and, as cattle and hogs are the main staple, corn is the principal cereal grown. Could a turnpike-road be built through the township to Charleston, it would be an excellent investment, as many products could be brought there that the farmers are obliged to forego or wait till good roads come. Some talk of utilizing criminals, confined in the Jail waiting trial, on the construction of such a road is heard. It would not only keep them, but would benefit the country. |