History of Williamson Co, IL

by Milo Erwin. 

published 1876

While I would like to transcribe the whole book, this would take a long time. There are many descriptions of prairies, plants, wildlife, someones moral character, some activities, etc. and while these things are nice to know, it isn't going to help you find great grandpa,  So I decided to pull out all the information that might help our researchers which is all the names, dates, places, etc.  Erwin also goes into great detail on the Vendetta, as he was the attorney for some of the people involved. There is a large number of people involved in this drama. Erwin's account is very confusing as he uses several names and nicknames for people. He also runs back and forth in time adding to the confusion. He was writing to people who lived in the area during the Vendetta and of course they knew all these people and places.  I have taken this large section, actually most of the book,  and will place his account in chronological order, and use a person's given name throughout. Also please note, when it says present time it means 1876, not our present date as most of these places do not exist today. Also the census information below is not in Erwin's book but was added by me for those researching these earlier settlers.

Early Natives

    The earliest settlements in Illinois were in 1680.  In 1682 the French held the Illinois area and was named for an Indian tribe.  In 1763, the area came under the control of the British, who in turn transferred it to the US in 1796 in the John Jay Treaty.  So the land of Illinois became a part of the Northwest Territory.  Originally Wmson Co was in St Clair Co with Kaskaskia as the seat until 1809, when Illinois became a territory itself. Wmson was under Gallatin Co until 1818, when Franklin Co was formed.  It remained a part of Franklin Co until 1839.  The county is 24 miles east to west and 18 miles north to south, there are 12 townships and 15 voting precincts.  In the southern part of the county are the Saline and Crab Orchard Streams.  The Big Muddy River in the NW corner with Pond and Lake Creeks in the NE. NW of Pond Creek is 2 miles of swamp.  There are 10 veins of coal and 9 little prairies in the county.  Until 1810, Buffalo where found in the area, they had made trails across Phelps and Poor Prairies to Crab Orchard Creek.  GL Own and AB Scurlock now live on these trails. The Shawnee lived in this area and he Kaskaskia tribes lived north and west of the Big Muddy River. In 1802 they fought a battle in Town Mount Prairie 3 miles SW of Frankfort.  The battle site is now located on the farms of LD Thrope and the Dennings.  Most of the Shawnee were killed in this battle. The Kaskaskia Indians lived south of Marion until about 1828. There was a large encampment in Bainbridge in 1813.  James Maneece and the Crain boys went to visit them. One of the old Indians had a white wife named Ellen. 1817, there was a camp on the farm of JS Neely.  The Indian Camp Creek was in the Burns Settlement.  And at Wesley Parks' farm you can find Indian carving on the stone.

Early Settlers

French fur traders, came to the area about 1720.  Renault was an agent for the Mississippi Co, he came from France with 200 miners and some 500 slaves.  This group settled at St Phillip and explored the area.  It is not really know if they were actually in Wmson Co, but there are traces of some mines in the northern part of Johnson Co.  In 1766, 4 men went exploring in the area, they had been with Col James Smith in KY, these 4 disappeared while in Illinois. 1796 Col George R Clark left Ft Massac on 14 Jun, he crossed the county, used the Odum Ford to cross the Big Muddy River and arrived in Kaskaskia on 04 Jul 1796. According to Erwin, Col Clark and his 15 men had built the "Stone Fort" just over the line in Saline Co, which consisted of 3 stone walls with a bluff on the north side and also a block house.  (I doubt that they would have had time or reason to build a anything, plus later research has shown that the fort was built much earlier)  In 1813, the Shultz's families lived at the fort.  In 1876, there were remains of the walls to be seen.  The trail that Col Clark took became known as the Kaskaskia Trail.  It seems this trail was not very good to travel, so the Worthen Trail was made to the east side of the county. This trail turned north at what is now Sarahville, went through the Hendrickson Settlement, on to Town Mount Prairie where it met up with the old east west trail of DuQuoin.

There were no settlements in Wmson Co until 1804.  Then 7 Jourdan brothers, John & Wm Browning, Joseph Estes and a man named Barbrey, the brother in law of the Jourdan's came from Smith Co, TN to the area.  In 1810, they built a block house and fort near Pond Creek in Northern Prec   There was also a Dr John Dunlap with the Jourdan's.  He claimed to have been raised by the Indians. In 1811 a few more people were living at the fort.  In 1812 James Jourdan and Mr Barbrey went hunting and were ambushed by Indians, Mr Barbrey was killed but James made it back to his brother, Frank's, fort.  Mr Barbrey is buried at the old fort.  Alexander McCreey's house is now located at the site. The site is now known as the "Old Station".

About 1811, John Phelps moved in 1 mile south of Marion on Phelps Prairie, he moved to Union Co, IL in 1817. Jay McClure at Odum Ford. Thomas and Joseph Griffee lived on Saline Creek at Ward's Mill.  A man named Higgins settled on the west side of Herrin's Priaire but left in 1812.  1812 saw the Flanney brothers at Flanney Springs.  Richard Bankston settled north of Marion, he was bought out in 1818 by Elijah Spiller. An unknown man located on what is now Benton Russell's farm. Richard Ratliff settled on what became the Roberts farm in Northern Prec. Charles Humphreys was at Stancil ford in Northern Prec where he operated a ferry. 

1815 brought, Nathan Arnett settled at present Hinchcliff farm along w Abraham Piatt, William Doty and Nelson McDoanld.  Solomon Snider and James McDonald settled in Grassy Twp from Johnson Co, IL. Dempsey Odum settled on what is now the FC Kirkman farm. Aaron Youngblood, presently Jake Sanders farm. In 1816 Joshua Tyner came to Eight Mile Prairie.  William Lindsey presently Samuel Russell's farm and Jasper Crain moved in on the west side of Phelp's Prairie.  1817 saw Spencer Crain on Phelp's Prairie with Ragsdale Rollin on the north side.  Isaac Herrin settled on Herrin's Praire were the Stotlar's now live..  Capt David Springs on what is now the Groves place. John Roberts bought out Richard Ratcliff (although he was still in the area) in Northern Prec. John Hooker and James Howe settled near Roberts and Worthen.

1818 saw a big increase in settlers coming to Wmson Co.  Phillip Russell and his 3 sons came to Eight Mile Prairie. A Perkins came to Herrin's Prairie.  Elijah Spiller bought out Richard Bankston, who lived north of Marion. William Burns and his 5 brothers moved to Northern Prec along w Major Lockleer.  George Davis settled at what is now the Bell place.  Dickenson Garrett settled south of what is now James Edwards place and  Hezekiah Garrett on what is now Benjamin Eaton's farm, William Norris came to Phelp's Prairie.  And 1819 saw even more with David Herring and Conrad Baker coming to Herrin's Prairie.  Northern Prec now includes Sion & SM Mitchell and Moses Jones.  William & Benjamin Spiller come to the Spiller Settlement. Abraham and son John Tippy move in south of Bainbridge.  Starling Hill settled what is now Hill's place and a Simpkins settles near him. 

 In 1820, 3 Dillingham's came and camped where Bazzell Holland now lives. In 1820 the cabins of the old fort were occupied by James Howe and a Mr Parks. There was also a Carl Graves in the area. William McDonald settled at Hill's Place.  John Maneese and son James on Phelp's Priaire.  John Davis built a blockhouse just west of Marion.  1820 also saw a Mr. Wadkins and his negro, Dowell Russell, Mark Robsinson, James Stewart and the Shultz in Saline Prec. 1821 brought David and Major James Corder with George Davis settled in the west.  1822 Hamilton Corder, Charles Erwin, Hugh Parks and Daniel Mosley.  1823 saw William Campbell in Blairsville and Samuel Stacks in Southern Twp.  Some of the other early settlers names were Bowles, Lewis, Wrights, Arnold, Hunter, Phemister, Baker and Turners.

 

The settlement of Marion began in 1826, William Benson lived on Poor Prairie, now the Cox place, then Martin Spiller, now the Goddard place, Tipo S Williams, now the Aikman place and a Mr Tyner (more likely Tiner) now the C & SRR depo, all lived the area.  In 1835 Benson bought out Tyner and the cabin of the widow of Col James D Pully.  Benson kept a hotel and his house was used as the court house.  Silas Grattan, now Barham plce, James McCoy, now Stockton place also lived in the area, with Jacob Goodall's farm just SE of Marion in 1828.  Also near the Marion area were Capt O West who lived in a cottage, Gen John Davis had a farm. In 1841, a brick court house was built.  In 1842, a hotel called the "Western Exchange".  The 1st business house in Marion was by John "Bone" Davis to sell whiskey, this had to be moved when the town was plated.  Starling Hill had a grocery, still in business in 1876, DL Pully had a grocery on the Westbrooks corner.  JD Pully built "Our House" on the west side.  John Sparks had a hat shop at the NE Corner. 1840 Johsua Mulkey had a store in Marion, which he sold to Robert Hopper. Marion was first incorporated in 1851, this didn't work, they tried again in 1856 it failed.  Again in 1865 by special act, not organized as a city until 1873.  In 1876 there were 1200 people and 8 businesses. Crab Orchard was organized in 1867 then disorganized in 1869, in 1876 there were 300 people there.  Carterville had 500 people, incorporated in 1873

Churches

The first church was called "Squat" in 1819, was located on what is now Thomas Sanders place.  1820 a Baptist Church in Rich Grove on Herrin's Prairie with Isaac Herrin as minister.  1823 a Baptist Church founded by the Davis, Corders and Parks families, now the farm of James Mayes, this church did not have a minister.  1824 a Methodist Church in Northern Twp which burnt in 1830.  There was a church near Samuel Russell's on Eight Mile Prairie in 1836 and also the Gum Springs Church in Saline.  1847 the Old Sweet Gum Church in Marion (Baptist).  1876 Marion had a Baptist, Christian and 2 Methodist churches

Mills

1st horse mill was in 1817 on the north side of Phelp's Prairie built by Ragsdale Rollins (Roland).  In 1822 Solomon Snider moved Rollins' mill to the west side of 8 Mile Prairie.  1819 William Burns had a mill and cotton gin at the Burns Settlement.  1825 Jonathon Herrin had a cotton gin on the Dillard farm.  1823 John Roberts has a mill on his farm as did John Lang on Herrin's Prairie.  Jasper Crain moved Lang's mill to Phelp's Prairie.  1825 George Davis had a mill, now the Erwin place.  1827 Stephen Stilly at his farm.  In 1827 Wm McDonald built the 1st water mill on the Saline in the Tanner Settlement, not long after George Davis built another one.  In 1834 John Davis built a 3rd water mill called "Sims Mill" a little later Stephen Blair bout a water mill on the Big Muddy River in Blairsville.  1838 Wm Ryburn at Eight Mile Prairie and Mr Yost in Marion, both built horse mills.  1856 Erwin & Furlong had a mill at Crab Orchard.  In 1862 the Herrin's, Polk and Harrison's ran a mill on Herrin's Prairie.  In 1870 Mann & Edwards began a woolen factory.

Stores

The 1st store in the county was in 1818 at Bainbridge by a Mr Kipp. In 1821 a store was owned by John Davis.  A Mr. Thompson bought out a store ran by Warren Spiller, then sold it to a Mr Cripps.  1830 John Davis in Sarahville. Other stores were 1836 Hugh Parks and Wm Ryburn, now Hinchcliff place. 1841 JT Goddard in Bainbridge then Samuel Dunaway.  1848 John H Mulkey and George Aiken at Blairsville. 1856 Oliver Herring and DR Harrison at Herrin's Prairie. 1857 Erwin & Furlong in Crab Orchard.

Printing

The 1st printing was done by WH Wileford in 1838.  He ran the Literary Monitor in 1850.  1854 Marion Intelligencer.  1860 Democratic Organ, 1866 Marion Star & Our Flag, 1867 Old Flag, 1868 People's Friend, 1872 Wmson Co Progress, 1873 Farmers Advocate, 1874 Marion Monitor & Marion Democrate.  1875 Eygptian Press.  Women writers were Mrs MM Mitchell and Isabell Marshall

Tidbits of the county

Farmers in the county were Herrings, Barks, Russells, Davis, Roberts, Stewarts and Arnolds.  Wolf Hunters were Gideon Alexander, Parson Crouch, William Chitty and Jessee Childers.  1820-30 a popluar game of gander pulling, involved actually pulling a bird to death, was played at the houses of Solomon Snider and Josiah Dillards. There was an Eva Locker who lived on Davis Prairie who was said to be a witch. The 1st brick house was on Schohharrie Prairie in 1840, built by James M Campbell.  In May 1876 the 2nd floor was blown off. The Ag Society was formed 02 May 1857 with Willis Allen as president.  Medical Asso. was formed 16 May 1875 with HV Ferrell, SH Bundy, AN Lodge and 28 other members

While the area of Illinois was a territory it was a slave area but when the state was formed in 1818 it pratcie was prohibited.  A Mr Wadkins (probably John) has a negro and Frank Jourdan had 2 slaves.  Alexander McCreery's family were slave owners.  He went to Missouri and brought back an old negress his father had owned, he also bought her husband Richard Inge. He then settled them on an 80a farm in the NE corner of the county.  4 miles SE of marion a colored family named Ellis located.  In 1857 a negro girl who lived near Marion was kidnapped to sell in the south but was saved by the town.

In July 1847 there was some cholera in the county and a few died.  In 1866, cholera hit again this time 25 people died including 3 Ferguson girls.  1873 saw small pox, many on the south side of the county died. The 1st school was in 1825.  In 1876 AN Lodge was superintendent of schools.  In 1833 Picayune Davis had a Masonic lodge about 2 miles west of Marion.  In 1850 the Fellowship Lodge of the AF & A Masons #100 in Marion, by 1876 they had 5 lodges.  Odd Fellows also had 5 lodges.  1856 the Know Nothings had 100 members.  1862 The Golden Circle had 800 members.  1864 the Union League had 1200 members.  1872 the KKK had 130 members.  The Grange came to the county in 1874.  Aaron Youngblood and Samuel Dunaway were hat makers.  In 1872 the Carbondale Coal and Coke Company started business in Carterville.  There were no saloons since 1872 except in Carterville. Gne John Davis had a saloon,  while it was opened in 1837 John Newman got drunk, and was eaten by hog when he fell in the pen.  In 1838 Essex Edmonson also got drunk there, then while going home he drove into the Saline and froze to death.  Davis closed the saloon in the 1860's

The First Rail Line

Shipping things from Wmson Co was done by teamster with wagons.  07 Mar 1867 the Murphysboro-Shawneetown RR was approved.  In Dec 1868, the county was told to hold the bonds until the line was completed, so Jesse Bishop, Addison Reece and Samuel Dunaway got a contract to see the stock, this was not legally done.  Then an Act was passed 10 Mar 1869 which changed the name of the line to the Carbondale & Shawneetown RR and made the contract for the sale of stocks valid.  In Dec 1870 they extended the time to finish the line to Jan 1872.  Judge Spain wanted the bonds, $100,000 worth, issued and placed with James W Samuels.  In Nov 1871 work was started on the RR tracks.  However know one knew of the "contract sale", citizens wanted an injunction to stop the sale of the bonds.  Those for the sale got RM Hundley to get the court to sign over the bonds, which they did.  15 Jan 1872 the last rail was laid.  The county was taken for over $50,000 on the deal.  In Mar 1873, a bill for an injunction and relief was filed by George Bulliner, Wm Hindman, Henry Williams, George W Sisney, Robert A Allen and FM Maxey.  The injunction was granted and this stopped the collection of the taxes on the bonds.