Roanoke, Woodford County, Illinois
Illinois Genealogy Trails

The community of Roanoke is located in a region called the Grand Prairie, as result of a geological phenomenon known as the Ice Age. Vast fields of snow and ice, often mile or more thick, pushed their way south from the Arctic across this part of North America leveling the ground as they came and receding northward again during warmer periods. The fourth and last of these ice fields left the topography of what is now Illinois much as we know it today, undulating to level ground with an occasional slow-moving stream and covered by deep loessial soil with very little forest land. The first known inhabitants were Indians of the Sac and Fox tribes. Later, a few Pottawantomi were here when the first white settlers arrived. These were as a rule friendly, although occasionally some slight disturbance flared up between the Indians and settlers. During the big snow of 1855, the Pottawantomi camped in Greene Township near Bill Fehr's farm and the Brethren Church and furnished meat to white men. Three big Indians once stopped at the home of John McCauley, north of town. After finding out that one of the McCauley children was very sick with chills and fever common in the early days of Roanoke, the Indians proceeded to make a special brew of roots and herbs for the sick boy. The boy made a quick recovery and was never ill with chills and fever again. The Pottawantomi hunted along Panther Creek and out on the prairie which made up the greater part of the township. They seemed to have had no permanent villages in the vicinity. As the first settlers arrived after the Black Hawk War of 1831, there was little chance for contact between the races because the Indians were moved further west. In the days of the Indians and for a time after, large herds of buffalo roamed over the country feeding on the coarse prairie grass that often reached the height of a man on horseback. A small remnant of this prairie grass can be observed today just south of the Panther Creek Church two miles east of town. In the summer, the buffalo wallowed in the mud of the sloughs creating pits in the soil that remain to this day - such as can be seen three miles north of town on the country road. Occasional prairie fires swept through the grass preventing the growth of trees and contributing to the development of the rich soil which today makes this region one of the top agricultural areas of the world. There was an abundance of small game, prairie chickens, deer, and waterfowl which nested in the sloughs before they were drained with tiling. Legend has it that panthers once lived in this area in the early days, apparently giving the creek its name. In fact, before the name Roanoke was chosen the area was known as Panther Grove. The Brethren Church, built sixteen years before the town was platted, was known as the Panther Grove Meeting House. It stands at the crossing of the first two roads laid out, the State Meridian road and the Metamora-Panola road, now the county blacktop. Until 1850, the prairie remained in its virgin state. The first settlements were made in the timber southeast of town where firewood and building material were plentiful.

First Settlers Arrive Jacob Stephenson of Christian Co., Kentucky, brought his family to the grove in 1832. He built the first cabin and was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. His land was recorded at the land office in Washington, D. C. in a patent signed by President Martin Van Buren in 1839. This place was where Mr. and Mrs. Guy Nofsinger presently live. Next J. W. Ewing came, he being also a native of Christian Co., Kentucky. Joseph Wilkinson came from Indiana in 1833. He lived on Stephenson's farm for two years until he settled land of his own. Joseph Wilson came from Tennessee about the same time. He chose a site three-fourths of a mile east of town. Joseph Causey left Kentucky in 1836, spent one year at the south edge of the grove, then moved to Versailles for four years. He returned to settle permanently in Section 27 on the Ed Hodel farm. He was also a blacksmith and built the first shop. Causey died in 1869, after losing two sons in the Civil War. The settlers were troubled with a great snow and terrible cold in the winter of 1837. That was also the year of the invention of the steel plow which then made it possible to plow the fertile prairie land. In 1841, Woodford County was formed from parts of McLean and Tazewell counties. Roanoke Township had been part of McLean. The county seat was Versailles, three miles southeast of Eureka. Phillip A. Moore received 160 acreas of land in Section 28 as payment for military service by a patent in 1847, although he did not arrive here until about 1851-52, with a party of 50 people from Virginia. In 1848, Elijah Marshall and brother Nelson came by way of the Great Lakes from Rutland, Vermont. E. R. Marshall built the first frame house and barn. Previous to this, all construction was of logs. In 1849, James Rufus Gish arrived from Virginia and homesteaded the northwest part of the present town of Roanoke. His land was that west of Main Street. It is thought their cabin was located near Mrs. Silas Hodel's present home. The above families were the early pioneers in Roanoke Township, no doubt a hard bunch free and simple in manners with few needs. Their homes were usually one room which served as dining room, parlor, bedroom and kitchen. Venison, turkey, corn and vegetables no doubt accounted for much of their diet. Luxuries were neither obtainable nor desired. What little trading was done required a trip to such places as Gavetown, Hanover (Metamora), Walnut Grove (Eureka), Bowling Green, Versailles, Washington, or on rare occasion, Peoria or Pekin. Until 1850, settlement was very slow. Occasionally, a family guided by letters of friends who came before, located here and others chanced upon it. The land at a distance from the timber had been thought worthless prior to 1850, but from then on many names could be added to the list of settlers. These early settlers will be listed in a sort of biographical format where sufficient information is available. Beginning in 1850, the prairies began to fill with settlers and commenced to change from prairie grass to that more economic member of the grass family, namely corn. We generally have the impression that the prairie was broken up with the plow as, in fact, much of it was; however, it is the nature of the tall grass, when grazed below a foot in height, to die out in favor of more domesticated varieties such as blue grass. Fires were often set to clear the ground for plowing with teams of oxen. The invention of drain tile completed the taming of the prairie by draining the sloughs which previously were farmed around. In 1852, Hiram Barney of Chester, Vermont, came from Olney and bought land from James R. Gish. Rufus Gish helped build the first school, the Bunch School, in 1855. In 1856, Miss Cinthia Fisher taught just east of Mr. Marshall's farm.

George Gish came to the vicinity in 1850. He was a minister of the Dunkard Church. Garmon Gish also came from Roanoke, Virginia, at the same time. Later he was sheriff of the county. Christian and Abraham Gish, brothers to George and Garmon, also came from Virginia. Christian, or Uncle Chrisley as he was called, was the oldest of the Gishs who came to Woodford County, having been born in 1792. He was the father of Rufus and John Gish, both Dunkard ministers. He built the house a mile north of Roanoke, and east in the lane in 1851 and 1852 - now believed to be the oldest house now standing. The frame was hewn oak with ash floors. Christian Gish was born Aug. 12, 1792. This picture was taken March 8, 1865

John Gish was a minister of the Panther Creek Church of Brethren

Jeremiah Brumbaugh Tawzer - b. Bucks Co., PA

Jeremiah Tawzer and wife came from Pennsylvania in 1854, and lived two miles west of town, then moved one and one-half miles east to the site of the Stephenson settlement. Mr. Tawzer was for many years treasurer of the Panther Grove Meeting House. Entries in his record book give many interesting insights into conditions of that decade before Roanoke was laid out. He was also road commissioner when he received this receipt: Germantown, Woodford County, Ills., July 1st 1862. Received of Roanoke Township per J. B. Tawzer, forty nine dollars in full for three thousand feet of bridge boards at $20 dollars per m. John O. McCord.

Barbara Thomas Tawzer

David T. Fauber, who became one of the founders of the village, came to Roanoke Township in 1855. He bought a farm on the east side of Main Street for $15 an acre. The residence on Broad street was between the baker and tailor shop. It was built in 1851 by William Front. This house is still standing in the 200 block of East Ann Street.

Andrew Thomas 1816-1888 came to Roanoke Township from Pennsylvania. He was a brother to Mrs. Jerry Tawzer. George Thomas came from Bendersville, Adams Co., Pennsylvania. He was Jerry Tawzer's father-in-law who lived with them one and one half mile east of Roanoke

Some Early Settlers Andrew Bachman immigrated from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1864. When he landed at New Orleans he was penniless. But through hard labor, he came to own 480 acres in Roanoke Township and 58 acres of timber in Partridge Township. Bachman married Catherine Sutter, also German born, and raised six children. Hiram Barney was township real estate agent, who also owned a farm adjoining the town of Roanoke. Barney was born in Vermont, where he married Clarissa Marshall. Barney played an important role in the building of Roanoke. He was very liberal in supporting what he believed to be the cause of Christ. He owned land that Roanoke now stands on, west of Main Street. Joseph Belsley, Jr. was a farmer and stock raiser who owned 106 acres in Section 24. He was born in Spring Bay Township and moved to Roanoke Township in 1873. Belsley married Hannah Ege and had one child, Clay B. F. Peter Belsley, a farmer, owned 320 acres in Roanoke Township. He was born in Woodford County and married Catherine Schertz also born in this county. They raised five children. He was one of three men who sunk the shaft for the Roanoke coal mine. Joseph Birkey was born in Bavaria, Germany;, in 1816. He came to the United States in 1844, and settled first in New Orleans, Louisiana. He then moved to Tazewell County for one year, then returned to Germany.. He married Barbara Eikstein in Bavaria, then returned to the United States. Twenty years after returning from Germany, the Birkeys moved from Tazewell County and settled on a 260-acre farm in Roanoke Township and raised eight children. Abraham Brubaker was a farmer who owned 160 acrees in Roanoke Township and five acres of timber in Greene Township. Born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1830, he left there in 1851, when he moved to Woodford County and settled at Walnut Grove for three years and then moved to Roanoke Township. He married Catherine Sentle, who died. His second wife was Sanny Sentle. Ellis P. Childress was born in Virginia and coming to Woodford very poor. Childress worked hard and ended up owning 80 acres. He was active as school director for many years. Frank Crinkenberger was the village mason who resided in the town. Henry J. Frantz was influential in getting the town located on its present site. Frantz earned distinction as State Senator, 20th District in 1874 and was re-elected in 1876. He was chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, a member of a committee that investigated State House Commissions and served on the Committee on State Charitable Institutions. Frantz settled in Woodford County in 1855 and married Maroa Gish, another Virginia native in 1857. He was a farmer, as well as serving in the State Legislature. He persuaded the C. P. & S. W. railroad to locate at Roanoke. John Frantz came from Virginia to Woodford County in 1852, settling in Roanoke Township, where he engaged in farming. In 1873, he opened a general merchandising store. In addition to his business, Frantz served as Justice of Peace for 12 years and was also school director. Key to his store is now in Metamora Court House. D. T. Fauber served 15 terms as county supervisor and was township treasurer for 15 years. He also served as school director and treasurer. Fauber settled on 160 acres, which he purchased for $15 per acre, in the township in 1855. He was one of the original proprietors of the Village. He also donated land to the Christian Church. George W. Gish served for 24 years as Minister in the Panther Creek Church. He accumulated 120 acres of land after coming to the county from Virginia in poor circumstances. Gish was also school director for 25 years. James R. Gish was born in Roanoke County, Virginia. Gish settled where the Village of Roanoke now stands in 1849. He later moved to Section 14, a 140 acre farm. When Gish arrived in Roanoke Township, he found four families settled. He helped build the first school and served as a school director. Gish selected the site for and helped build the Panther Creek Church. John Gish suggested the name "Roanoke" while being present at a County Commissioners township meeting. He was a native of Roanoke County, Virginia. He lived two miles north and a quarter west. Jacob Hunsinger built the house where Frank Hunsinger now lives, in 1858. A. C. Jacobs, at age 45, came to the United States from Auvih, Hanover Ost, Friesland, in 1855. He bought land from the Illinois Central Railroad. He paid for his land in cash. Gideon Jeter was an active citizen of Roanoke Township. Jeter settled here in 1853. He served as both school treasurer, and director, as county supervisor for nine years, road commissioner, county coroner, and tax assessor for six years. He farmed 120 acres in the Township. L. J. Jeter came from Roanoke County, Virginia in 1853 with his parents, who farmed. In 1876, he helped establish the firm of Hatcher and Jeter Hardware and Farm Implements. George Karl was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1846. He came to the United States in 1865, first to Peoria where he got a job building a wooden bridge across the Illinois River. When that was finished, he walked east over the prairie to Roanoke Township. He was a blacksmith and before the railroad came through he would walk to Peoria for his supply of iron, stopping at the Metamora House the first night. On the return trip he hitched rides with farmers returning from hauling their grain to Spring Bay or Pekin. He married Mary Schirer. Later Karl moved his shop to his farm three miles north of town. He served one term as county supervisor. Peter Kennell was born in Worth Township, Woodford County, the son of a French immigrant. Peter Kennell farmed 1200 acres in Woodford County and 160 acres in Livingston County. Benjamin G. Kindig was one of the original proprietors of the town. Jacob Leonard was born in Virginia and lived there until age 18. He moved to Ohio and became a wagon maker. In 1836, he walked the entire way from Virginia to Illinois and settled in Sangmon County for 20 years, then Menard County eight years, then settled in Woodford County in 1865. He had no capital, however, he was assessed 15 dollars and paid a tax of 7 cents. E. R. Marshall was a Vermont native. Marshall settled on 446 acres in Roanoke in 1850. He built the first frame farm house in the township. William Meginnes started farming in 1853 on 260 acres in Roanoke Township and 560 acres in Greene Township. He served a school director. John McCauley came to Roanoke from Virginia, bought 160 acres of ground from Dr. Whitmore two miles north of town. He married Mary Ellen Gish, daughter of Christian Gish. The house where he lived one mile north of town was a landmark for early travelers. Thomas McCord farmed near Roanoke and served also as township assessor and school director. He served in 1832 in the Blackhawk War. John Miller settled in Woodford County in 1856. He farmed 80 acres. M. L. Mock came from Pontiac, Illinois to Roanoke in 1847, where he established a Real Estate and Insurance business. He served as Justice of Peace, Notary Public, Township Clerk, Attorney for United States Mercantile Agency and was one of the first town trustees of Roanoke. Mock was a Civil War Veteran, serving in the 90th Ohio Infantry. He fought in battles of Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Jonesboro. Phillip A. Moore was a veteran of Co. ??, Mexican War. He received 160 acres of land in Roanoke Township as payment, record of same signed by President Zackery several years later. Moore was a carpenter and in the lumber business. Andrew Rapp owned and operated a meat market in Roanoke. He also was proprietor of the Rapp Hotel where the old Shell Station was. Joseph Reiff was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he lived for 21 years before settling in Woodford County in 1859. He started farming with $18 dollars and eventually owned 320 acres. Reiff served as school director in Roanoke. His house burned in one of the early incidents in Roanoke. Conrad Rohman settled inWoodford County in 1844. He was a cooper as well as a farmer until 1862 when he operated a grocery and a hardware business. He held offices of constable, school director and highway commissioner in Roanoke Township. John Schirer immigrated from Germany to New York State, then to Princeville, and settled on 80 acres in Roanoke in 1864. He paid $7 per acre for ground from the Illinois Central Railroad. There being no trees on the prairie, he planted two maple trees for shade for the horses at noon in 1866. One still stands two miles north and half mile west of town. Issac Snider immigrated from Germany as a child and settled in Woodford County in 1835. He served as an apprentice miller at Hosher's Mills and in 1877 built and operated his own mill in Roanoke. Snider served as leader of the M. E. Church in Roanoke, serving as trustee, class leader, steward and preacher for twenty years. Jacob Stephenson came to Roanoke Township in 1832 from Christian County, Kentucky. He settled near Panther Creek east of town, where Guy Nofsinger lives. He was the first settler in the township. He recorded his land in 1839, the patent being signed by President Martin Van Buren. A. D. Stoddard worked as a carpenter. He came to Roanoke from Drumstron, Vermont in 1859. Stoddard served during the Civil War in the 7th Regiment Illinois Volunteers and was captured at Sabine Cross Roads and held prisoner at Camp Ford, Texas, until the war ended. Fred G. Spillman was a Swiss immigrant. He arrived in the United States in 1852 in very poor circumstances, but built up a 111 acre farm. Samuel Peterson was born in New Jersey. Peterson came to what is now Roanoke in 1858. He owned and farmed 405 acres in Woodford County, plus 100 acres near Hoopston in Vermillion County. He served as road commissioner and school director. Jeramiah Tawzer came from Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1854. He settled first, one and one-half miles west of town, then moved one and one-half miles east of the Panola road and bought a farm. Mrs. Guy Nofsinger, his granddaughter, presently resides on the old homestead. He served as school director and road commissioner. His wife was Anna Thomas also from Pennsylvania. Mr. Tawzer was treasurer of the Panther Creek Brethren Church for a number of years beginning in 1864. His record book covering the period is still in existence. John H. Uden was a German immigrant from Kingdon Hanover. He arrived in the United States without any capital. He owned 125 acres of land earned through his labor. He served as school director. He lived one mile north, one mile east and one-half mile north of town. John Wells settled in Roanoke in 1857, and eventually farmed 197 acres. He was a school trustee, road commissioner and served as tax assessor. Benedict Weyeneth came to Roanoke the area in 1850 from New York State. He farmed where Morris Wiegand now lives. He was first minister of Apostolic Christian Church. Joseph Wilson began farming in 1861 in Roanoke Township and developed 160 acres. He served as a school director for many years. Peter Yordy was born in Alsace, France. He settled in Woodford County in 1867 and farmed 200 acres. He was an active member of the Panther Creek Brethren Church. Henry Zeiger settled in Roanoke Township in 1864 after arriving in the United States from Germany in 1853. He farmed 80 acres and served as road master and school director.

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