Cold Brook Township, Warren County, IL

          COLD BROOK TOWNSHIP, or the territory that is now embraced by it, was among the earliest that was settled in the county.  As early as 1828, Peter Peckenpaugh, from Indiana, found his way up into this locality, and put down his stake for a home, on section 30.  Peter did not have long to wait, for Peter Butler and Jeremiah McFarland came on soon, seeking homes for themselves and their families.  The former located on section 31, and the latter on section 25.  These pioneers were from Kentucky.  They all had their families to brighten their pioneer firesides, and this have them hope, courage, and strength to put the axe into the timber, the plow-share into the virgin soil, and carve out homes for themselves and  families.

            If there is any one position in life more lonely than another, it is that of a man starting out in a new country all alone to make his fortune, without wife or children to assist him in the building up of a home; it would seem that his condition must be something akin to “Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner”—

“Alone, Alone, All, All Alone

Alone On A Wide, Wide Sea.

So Lonely ‘Twas, That God Himself,

Scarce, Seemed There To Be.”

            Peter Peckenpaugh died but a few years ago.  His wife died in 1850.  Mr. McFarland has only been dead a few years.  Peter Butler, who figured quite extensively in the early history of the county, moved to Oregon, in 1853, where, after an active life, he died.  He was one of the first County Commissioners.  William Whitman and family, and Josiah Whitman, his brother, were the next to settle in the township, which was in the spring of 1829.  They came from Kentucky and made claims upon section 32.  William was a preacher of the Christian Church, and in those early days, charmed his hearers with his eloquence.  He died at this home in 1838.  Josiah Whitman was married to Hannah Davidson.  He died near Monmouth in 1865.  His widow is still living in this city.  William Whitman’s widow married Rev. Richard Johnson, who was also a minister of the Christian Church.  They are both dead.  Richard H. Ragland and family, of Kentucky, moved into the township at an early day, locating in the timber near Cedar Fork.  This pioneer did not live long in his Western home, but passed on to the eternal one, dying in 1839.  His widow survived him, nearly half a century, dying in 1885, at the old homestead.  Their children are residing in the township.  In 1830, Aaron Hardin, from Schuyler Co., Ill, came in and located on section 33.  He left the county at an early day.  John G. Haley, with his wife, Elizabeth, came in this year, and located their home on section 29.  He was a very active and influential man,  and an Elder in the Christian Church.  He was quite prominent in the early days in county matters, and was at one time Sheriff of the county.  He moved to Missouri in the fall of 1870, and died there some years later.  His first wife, Elizabeth, died in 1847, at the old homestead.  They had a family of seven children,  three boys, and four girls—Mary Jane, Henry, Edward, Eliza, Cynthia Ann, and Thomas.  Of the children three are living—Jane and Eliza in Warren County, and Thomas in California.

            Mr. Haley married for his second wife, Mrs. Martha Whitman, “Aunt Patsey.” Who came from Kentucky, in 1831, locating on section 7.  Her seven children were William C., S.Squire, Sally, C.,JohnC., Lucy A., Huldy A., and Christina J.  They are all living except Huldy A. and William C., and all in the county except S.Squire.  Aunt Patsey is living with her daughter, Mrs. Hascall, on section 7, in  Floyd Township, in her 89^th year.  She is still strong and hearty, and bids far to live many more years.

            Of those who came after the pioneers above mentioned up to 1837, there were Phillip Horney, H.S. Hascall, Max Haley, P.R. Haley, Alva Gordon, David R. Shelton,Sr., with a family of 13 children, Edward Grounds, William Harper, Sr., Seth C. Murphy, Jacob Rust, David Morrow, William Fraymeyer, and Mrs. Claycomb and children, Henry and William Bruner, Thomas Wallace, Sr., William and Joseph Murphy, William Wallace, Alexander Moore, Nelson E. Hills, Thomas Griffee, Jesse Cleveland, Henry Landers, William and John Davidson, John Underwood, John P. Cone, S.S. Wallace and John E. Murphy.  Thus a good start was made toward settling the township.  They were an industrious, intelligent class of pioneers, and went to work with energy and perseverance to build up homes, develop the township and improve the country.

            Seth C. Murphy taught the first school in the township, in a small log house on section 30, or in the “Neck”.  This was in 1832.  Mr. Murphy died in the fall of 1836.  Rev. William Whitman was the first preacher to entertain these pioneers with gospel eloquence, which was in the old town of Cold Brook, in 1831, the services being held in Peter Peckenpaugh’s house.  Alma Arasmith and Elizabeth Peckenpaugh led off in this township the first matrimonial venture.  Rev., William Whitman, duly solemnized this very interesting event, which created quite a sensation in this neighborhood, on Christmas Day, 1831.  Jacob Rust was the first man to embark in the mercantile business, which he did by opening a store in  a log cabin in the town of Cold Brook.  Jacob did not have an elaborate assortment of goods, nor was there much capital invested, but his little cabin store, as humble as it appeared, was pleasing sight to those pioneers.  A post office was opened at Cold Brook, in 1832, and Alva Cordon was the favorite son who held Uncle Sam’s commission.

            Thomas Wallace started the first sawmill in the township, about a mile north of Cold Brook, on Cedar Creek.  This was one of the first mills in the county, and was started in the summer of 1832.  Subsequently he put in a stone for grinding corn.  Cold Brook received it’s name from some cold springs which were located near there.  It was platted by John G. Haley.

`           In 1832, Mr. Haggett and John Bundy started a blacksmith shop here, which was the first in the township.  At one time, Cold Brook was quite a town, and a thriving trade carried on.  The Brink and Walker stage line passed through the town.  It was twelve miles from here to Knoxville and eight miles to Monmouth.  Mr. Gordon served as Postmaster until 1840, when H. E. Haley was appointed.  A.D. Hawkins succeeded him and was the last Postmaster in the town.  Upon the completion of the railroad, Mr. Hawkins moved the office with his store to Cameron, where it was established in 1855.  the starting of the town of Cameron broke the town of Cold Brook up, and the owners of the land there have had the good sense to convert the site into fields.  If many of the other would-be towns in the county would follow the example of the town of Cold Brook, there would be many acres of good land put to a proper and beneficial use.

            A sad accident occurred near this town in the early days (1838).  Mat Dean and John Hardin were fishing in the millpond.  They were sitting on a log, one end of which lay on the bank and the other ran out into the pond.  Dean suddenly had a fit and fell of the log into the water.  Hardin seeing him go down, plunged in after him, and they were both drowned.  Singularly enough, their4 bodies were found some distance apart.  Hardin’s body was found a few hours after the accident, but that of Dean was not recovered until the next day, and not until after the pond had been dragged.  It was found clinging with knees and arms to the under side of the log upon which they had been sitting.

            This township was organized April 4, 1854.  The minutes of this meeting are imperfect, but we find that Philip Horney was chosen Moderator, and Joseph Stewart, Clerk.  After the votes were polled, it was found that Benjamin F. Morey was elected Supervisor; J. S. Parker, Clerk; James McFarland, Assessor and Collector; Andrew Claycomb and B. F. Morey, Justices of the Peace; W. H.H. Claycomb,   T. F. Taylor and B. S. Parker were elected Commissioners of Highways.  It is township 11 north of range I west, and is bounded on the north by Kelly, on the east by Knox County, on the south by Floyd, and on the West by Monmouth Township.

            The only village in the township is Cameron, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, where some of the people do their trading.

            This road runs nearly all the way on the southern line of this township and was completed through it in the early part of 1855.

            Cedar and Talbot Creeks and their branches water it.  Much of the township contains broad, rolling prairie, and some parts are rather broken.  The land lying along and bordering the streams is very well timbered.  Most of the farms are well cultivated and provided with good buildings.  The farmers with but few exceptions are out of debt and prosperous.  The farmers to the raising of stock than was formerly done are giving more attention, and the production in this line is increasing every year.

            The population, in 1880, was 1,084, and it is estimated there has been a little gain since that time.

            The County Superintendent’s reports for the year ending June 30, 1885, contains the following school items:  There are eight school districts, one graded and seven upgraded schools,  with a valuation of school property amounting to $6,400.  All of the school-buildings are frame.  Of persons under 21 years of age, there were 425, of whom 272 were of school age, and 252 were enrolled.  The highest wages paid to teachers is $45 and the lowest $25 per month.  The tax levy for this year was $2,170.

            From the Assessor’s report for the year 1885, the following information is obtained:  Number of acres improved land, 22,439; value of improved land, $314,025; total value of lots, $3,375;  number of horses, 922; cattle, 1,688; asses and mules, 37; sheep, 157; hogs, 3,249; steam engines, 1; carriages and wagons, 308; watches and clocks, 197; sewing and knitting machines, 99; pianos, 7; melodeons and organs, 35.  Total value of personal property, $708,002.

            Below is given the names of the citizens who have been honored with the office of Supervisor:

BENJ.  S. MOREY…………..1854  L.M.GATES…………..1863-4

PHILIP HORNEY……….1855         J. H. MURPHY……….1865

W.H.H.CLAYCOMB……1856        PHILIP HORNEY…………..1866

PHILIP HORNEY……………..1857               J. R. BARNETT……….1867-70

W.H.H.CLAYCOMB……1858        L. M. GATES………….1871-3

HENRY MURPHY………1859         J. T. HARTMAN………1874-5

W.H.H.CLAYCOMB…….1860       PHILIP HORNEY……..1876

JAMES MCFARLAND….1861-2    J. T. HARTMAN………1877-85

COLDBROOK TOWNSHIP:

      Township 11 North, Range 1 West

      Coldbrook is the second from the north in the east tier of townships in Warren County, Illinois. It consists of broad rolling prairies, with some broken and well-timbered land along Talbot and Cedar creeks, which, with their branches, water the township. The farms are large and productive, and their owners as a rule are prosperous and happy. Much attention is paid to stock-raising, which is a profitable industry here. The main line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway passes through the township from east to west close to its southern boundary line; and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad crosses the southeast corner, entering the township at Cameron and going out on the east on Section 24.

      The township was organized April 4, 1854. Philip Horney was moderator of the town meeting and Joseph Stewart was clerk. The election resulted in the choice of the following as the first officers of the township: Supervisor, Benjamin F. Morey; Town Clerk, J. S. Parker; Assessor and Collector, James McFarland; Justices of the Peace, Andrew Claycomb, B. F. Morey; Highway Commissioners, W.H.H. Claycomb, T. F. Taylor, B.S. Parker. 

      The present officers are: Supervisor, George Bruington; Town Clerk, Charles E. Britt; Assessor, C. A. Law; Collector, F.F. Foster; Highway Commissioners, Worden Davis, William Fair, S.A. Ryner; Justice of the Peace, Thomas Griffee; Constable, George Riggle.

      Those who have served the township as supervisors to the present time, with the dates of their service are: Benjamin F. Morey, 1854; Philip Horney, 1855; W.H.H.Claycomb, 1856; Philip Horney, 1857; W.H.H. Claycomb, 1858; Henry Murphy, 1859; W.H.H. Claycomb, 1860; James McFarland, 1861-62; L.M. Gates, 1863-64; J.H. Murphy, 1865; Philip Horney, 1866; J.R. Barnett, 1867-70; L.M. Gates 1871-73; J.T. Hartman 1874-75; Philip Horney, 1876; J.T.Hartman 1877-86; George Bruington 1887-92.

      Coldbrook was among the earliest of the townships to be settled. In 1828 Peter Peckenpaugh came from Indiana and staked out the first claim. It was on Section 30, in the southwest part of the township, and in this neighborhood he remained until his death.

      The same year Solomon Perkins settled on Section 31. He moved to Berwick Township in 1829, after selling his place to Peter Butler, who came from Kentucky, residing a few years in Monmouth Township and later moving to Coldbrook. 

      Jeremiah McFarland came with Mr. Butler from Kentucky and settled on Section 25, where he made his home until his death more than fifty years later. 

      William Whitman and his brother, Josiah, came from Kentucky in 1830, William settling on section 32, and his brother across the line in Monmouth Township. William Whitman was a preacher of the Christian (Disciples) Church, and was one of the organizers of the second church in the county, now the Christian Church at Cameron. He preached the first sermon in the township, and married the first couple. The contracting parties in this event were Alma Arrasmith and Elizabeth Peckenpaugh, and the ceremony was performed on Christmas Day 1831. 

      John G. Haley also came from Kentucky in 1830, settling on the southeast quarter of Section 29. He was also one of the charter members of the Christian Church referred to, was Sheriff of the county from 1834 to 1836, and moved to Missouri in 1870.

      Patrick Haley located on the northwest quarter of Section 26, and Maximilian Haley on the southwest quarter of Section 32. The latter resided also a while a little farther south, and afterwards in Monmouth, dying in Henderson County. 

      The Murphys also came from Kentucky in 1830, part of them settling in Monmouth Township, some in Berwick, and some in Coldbrook. William settled on Section 18. He was a retired Baptist preacher. His son, John E. Murphy, located in the northeast corner of Monmouth Township, where he resided until 1837, then came into Coldbrook, joining his father on Section 18.

      Aaron Harding came from Schuyler County the same year (1830), making his home on Section 23, but remaining only a short time. 

      Richard H. Ragland, another Kentuckian, came into the township in 1831, making his home on Section 18. He resided a while near Berwick, but returned to the Coldbrook home and remaining there until his death. He was the father of Lewis Ragland. 

      Thomas C. Wallace, also from Kentucky, settled on the southwest Quarter of Section 16. He started a saw-mill on Cedar Creek, on the southwest of Section 21, about two miles north of the present town of Cameron. 

      Thomas McKee settled on the east side of Section 23, selling to his son-in-law, Philip Horney, who came from Schuyler County in 1835. 

      Justus Parker was another of the early settlers, locating on Section 17, selling to Andrew Claycomb, who came from Kentucky with his mother and younger brothers and sisters in 1836. Of the large Claycomb family, only one, George W. Claycomb, of Monmouth, is still living. He removed to Monmouth in 1882, where he served several terms as Supervisor and also as member of the City Council. He still owns his large farm in Coldbrook, though himself retired from active business. 

      Another of the earliest settlers who still remains is Alexander Moore, who came in the early ‘30’s, settling first where Mr. Claycomb now owns and afterwards selling to Harrison Claycomb, and who now makes his home on Section 9. He is about ninety-four years of age.

      Other pioneers of the earliest period were James Robinson, on Section 16, who sold to R.H. Ragland; John C. Davidson, on the southeast of Section 19; George Jones, on Section 22; William Bruner, who bought Mr. Jones’ claim; and Henry Bruner, who settled on Section15; Benjamin Despain and T.J. Taylor, on Section 23; Thomas Griffee and Jesse Cleveland, on Section 15, Micah Metheney, on Section 34; Thomas Bruington, father of Supervisor George Bruington, who came from Kentucky and settled on Section 16; the Rhykerds, on Section 35; Stephen R. Smith, on Section 7; and the Sheltons, who came from Floyd Township. Samuel T. Shelton served in several township offices, and in 1870 was elected to the State Senate, where by his vote he helped elect John A. Logan to his first term in the United States Senate. Mr. Shelton was an ordained elder in the Christian Church.

      The first mill in the township was built by Thomas C. Wallace, whose petition for permission to construct a dam on the southwest quarter of Section 21 was approved by the County Commissioners in December of 1836. At first only a saw-mill was put in, but later stones for grinding corn were added, and Mr. Wallace did an extensive business. John Harding, son of Aaron Harding, who lived north of where Cameron now stands, and Matt Dean, a man of no family, were drowned while fishing in Wallace’s mill pond, probably in 1838. There was also in the late ‘30’s or the early ‘40’s a tan-yard at Savannah, operated by a Mr. Green, who sold to John S. Walker and William Loofer, both of whom are remembered by the oldest settlers.

      Another institution of the early days was the Common Stock, a sort of communistic society organized by John E. Murphy, Joseph Murphy, L.S. Wallace, Max Jamison and others. The members agreed to put all their property together, all live in a village to be founded on Section 18, and all to share equally in all that they made. The plan did not work satisfactorily and was abandoned after a few months. The women, especially, it is said, were not pleased with the arrangement.

      The Talbot Creek Christian Church was organized at the home of Willliam Hopper in Monmouth Township, March 3, 1839, with forty-three members, most of whom were previous to that time members of the Christian Church of Coldbrook. Joseph Murphy, William Murphy and William Hopper were chosen elders, and David Morrow and L.S. Wallace deacons. The early meetings of the church were held in the school house on Section 12, but in 1845 David Morrow built a frame church building on the west side of his farm, the northwest quarter of Section 12, which was used as a place of worship for ten or twelve years. The congregation in those days was a prosperous one, and had a large and vigorous membership. From it a colony went off and organized the Christian Church at Gerlaw. From the early church were sent out the following ministers: John E. Murphy, Joseph E. Murphy, L. Smith Wallace, Robert Wallace, Thomas Wallace and Francis M. Bruner. Late in the 1850’s it was decided to move a little farther east, and a church was built in 1860 at what is now Coldbrook at a cost of about $1,000. This building was succeeded in 1895 by a modern structure, which cost about $4,000, and was dedicated November 17, 1895 by Rev. G. W. Pearl. Among the pastors who have served this church are L. Smith Wallace, Joseph E. Murphy, Henry Murphy, Livy Hatchett, Samue3l T. Shelton, Henry Trickett, Mr. Duncanson, T.H. Goodright, Charles Leacock, B.C. Stevens, J.H. Carr, J.E. Propheter, W.T. Stevenson, A.M. Hale, C.E. Conner, and I.R. Spencer. The present membership of the congregation is 183, the Sunday school has an enrollment of 112, and the Christian Endeavor society has 19 members.

      The Church of God at Scotchtown, on the northwest corner of Section 30, was organized November 1, 1870, with a membership of 28. The members were: Andrew Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson, James Young, Marian Young, William Hardy, Elmira Hardy, Mark Halden, Janet Halden, Anna Halden, John Bell, Jane Bell, James Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson, Thomas Swan, Mary Swan, Andrew Y. Welsh, Elizabeth Wilson Welsh, Mrs. Janet Wilson, Agnes Welsh, Jacob Greenwell, Margaret Greenwell, Josephine Genry, Leona Genry, Leon Genry, John Gordon, Francis M. Sharp, James Campbell, and Jane Campbell. Rev. Isaac E. Boyer was the first pastor, and those following him have been Abraham Hollems, William Ross Coovert, W.T. Harris, W. B. Allen, John Bernard, I.S. Richmond, Mary Berkstresser, D.W. Blakely, John S. Walls, Mr. Shearer, and Mr. Wicks. The church building was dedicated December 31, 1871, and is valued at $1,100. The church is disbanded at the present time, the Welsh family alone remaining of the membership. The Sunday school is still carried on, however, supervised by members of the Baptist Church at Monmouth.

      The Universalists have a church building on the southwest corner of Seciton 5, dedicated September 20, 1891, and known as the Henderson Grove Universalist Church. The society worshipping there was formed by the consolidation of two bodies, one belonging in the neighborhood and the other at Miles’ mill, in Kelly Township. The society has a membership of about 30, but has no settled minister.

      The first school in Coldbrook Township was taught by Seth C. Murphy in a small log school house on Section 30 in 1832. The latest figures in the office of the County Superintendent of Schools show that there are now eight school districts, all with frame buildings, including the union district at Cameron, which has a graded school with two female teachers. The township employs one male teacher at $35. and eight female teachers at $30. to $40. a month. There were 146 males and 104 females of school age in the township, and of these 112 males and 108 females were enrolled in the schools. Six schools had libraries, with a total of 120 volumes valued at $250. The tax levy for schools was $2,818.67; the value of the school property, $9,012; the value of school apparatus, $300; and the bonded debt of the township for schools, $3,500.

      The assessment lists for 1901 show in the township at that time 911 horses, 2,568 cattle, 35 mules and asses, 322 sheep and 2,831 hogs. The total value of personal property in the township was $212,070, and the assessed valuation $42,614. The assessed valuation of lands was $244,705, and of lots $2,115.

      The population of the township in 1900 was 928, a loss of eight since 1890.

      The Coldbrook Rural Insurance Company was an institution chartered about January 1, 1876. It was composed of 49 incorporators, and started with insurance of $55,900. Its office was to be in Coldbrook Township, but its object was the insurance of farm property in Monmouth, Coldbrook, Floyd, Kelly, Spring Grove, and Lenox Townships. The company was the forerunner of the present Monmouth Farmers’ Insurance Company.

SAVANNAH:

      The town of Savannah was laid out August 12, 1836 by County Surveyor William C. Butler, on the southeast quarter of Section 29, in Coldbrook Township, about one mile north of the present village of Cameron. Savannah had a public square and twelve blocks. John G. Haley was the owner of the town-site. Later the town was called Coldbrook because of the cold springs along the creek north of it, and from the town the township took its name.

      At one time Savannah was quite a town and did a thriving trade. The Brink & Walker stage from Springfield to Oquawka passed through there, and it was the only stopping place between Knoxville and Monmouth. Jacob Rust was the proprietor of the first store, and Alva Gordon was the first postmaster. H. E. Haley succeeded him in 1840, and he was followed by A. D. Hawkins, who was the last postmaster at Savannah, the post office being removed with the town to Cameron in 1855. Hagett & Bundy had a blacksmith shop here as early as 1832. The town was for years the home of the first Christian Church organized in Warren County, now the Cameron Christian Church. Records at the court house show that on October 22, 1840, David Richmond deeded to John G. Haley, Josiah Whitman, Isaac Murphy, Joseph Murphy, and Patrick R. Haley, trustees of that church, lot 64 in Coldbrook. Provision was made “that any other church may hold meetings in the meeting house now standing on said land, so that they do not interrupt the appointments of the Church of Christ aforesaid.â€�

CARROLL:

      This town shows in the old county records, but the memory of it has entirely passed away. It was platted by County Surveyor William C. Butler, August 18, 1836, just a few days after the laying out of Savannah. The site was the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 16, Coldbrook Township. It was a little more than three miles north from Savannah, across the road and a little east of the present Talbot Creek Christian Church, on land now owned by J.E. Wallace. Carroll was laid out with a public square and sixteen blocks—a popular size in those days. P. R. Haley, Daniel McNeil, Jr. and Lyman Prentiss owned the town-site.

CAMERON:

      November 17, 1854, County Surveyor J.W. Adcock, surveyed and platted the town of Cameron, on the north side of the main line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, on the southwest quarter of Section 33 and the southeast quarter of Section 32, in Coldbrook Township. Cameronville (see history of Floyd township) had been laid out in February of the same year on the south side of the railroad, and the two are now considered one village, though they retain their separate names on the county records and in all real estate deals. The business part of the village is in Floyd Township, but the school, in a union district, is on the Coldbrook side. Cameron was laid out on land owned by Ivory Quinby and John B. Warren, with twenty blocks.

SURREY:

      Surrey is a station and post office on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, located at the center of Section 26. The post office was established in July 1894, with Frank Bowen as postmaster. He was succeeded February 28, 1896, by C.M. Bolon, who still holds the office.

      A half mile east of Surrey, on the east side of Section 26, is Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. The society was organized in August, 1868 or 1869, with the families of John Underwood, Robert Gillespie, James McFarland, and Mr. Lufre as members. The church building was erected about the same time at a cost of $2,000. The society is now disorganized, but Sunday school is held regularly, with preaching on alternate Sundays by Rev. Mr. Hales, of the Cameron charge.

COLDBROOK NO. 2:

      The present Coldbrook post office was established in March 1891, and commenced business April 1 following, with Hiram Churchill as postmaster. The office was located one mile north and a half mile east of the center of the township, but was moved a mile further west about the first of January 1896. R. B. McReynolds succeeded Mr. Churchill as postmaster in February 1896, serving until March 1898, when J. W. Barnett became postmaster. The present postmaster, H. M. Wallace, took charge of the office April 11, 1902.

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