Randolph County ILGenWeb

EVANSVILLE

EVANSVILLE precinct, is a fine body of land; bounded on the north by Baldwin, on the east by Central, on the south by Florence, and on the west by the Kaskaskia river.  It is drained in the northern portion, by Plum creek.  In the southeastern by Butter creek, which empties into Nine Mile creek, running along its southern boundary.  The land in the eastern portion is quite level, that along the western boundary somewhat broken.  The wooded districts comprise a portion, about one-third in size, as compared to the cleared land.  The farms are in a fine state of cultivation, and the primitive cabin of the first settlers has given place to the modern structure, and two story frame and brick dwellings, are numerous.  The farmers are thrifty.  The German element predominates in the western and middle portions, while in the vicinity of Preston, there still remain some of the descendants of the original Scotch-Irish who were the first to encounter the perils of early emigration.

About the year 1780, a settlement was made about the mouth of Nine Mile creek, by some of Col. CLARK’s soldiers, and some friends, whom they had persuaded to come along with them to the country.  Of these, Daniel Hicks, Henry and Elijah SMITH, Hilderbrand, HAYDEN, LUNCEFORD and others were prominent.  They nearly all lived and died in the settlement.  LUNCEFORD went to St. Clair County, IL., where he left quite a large number of descendants.  These were undoubtedly the first settlements made in this precinct, and but little can be learned of them at this date.  A locality famous in early days, was called the IRISH settlement, which was located near the mouth of Plum Creek, and derives its name from the fact that the Irish settlers were called South Carolina Irish.  The place was probably first settled by a man, eminent, even at that early day, for great energy and activity, James PATTERSON, from the ABBEVILLE DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA.  He afterwards settled upon the site of Preston village, in 1804.  This old pioneer held the offices of Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner and also made himself conspicuous as a ranger in the war of 1812.  He had four sons, John, Samuel, Reuben, and James HARVEY.  John, after living for several years in the same settlement, with his father, moved to Hill Prairie, where in 1837, he died.  Samuel settled in Horse Prairie; Reuben, in Heacock Prairie; James H. lived on the farm, first settled by his father. 

John FULTON, another addition to this settlement, came in 1812.  He proved to be of considerable aid, in promoting the best interests of the little community.  His sons, Thomas, David and Cyrus, all located in the neighborhood.

On the 25^th of December, 1804, a great addition was made to this settlement by the arrival of the families of John McCLINTON, David and James ANDERSON and Adam HILL, all of whom numbering thirty one sons came from the ABBEVILLE DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA.   David ANDERSON was called on frequently to fill places of trust and honor, and was a very popular colonel of the militia.  He left no sons, all dying while young.  His oldest daughter married Robert G. SHANNON.  His brother James only lived a few years after coming to Illinois.

Adam HILL, one of the four sons, settled near Evansville, living there until his death.  His sons were John, William, Adam, Robert, and Samuel.  There was a further increase of the Irish settlement in the latter part of the year 1804, by the arrival of Absalom COX, James and Archibald THOMPSON, William McBRIDE and Robert McDONALD, and others.  Archibald THOMPSON was noted for his efficiency and excellent of character.  After living a few years in the settlement he moved in 1812 to a place two miles south of Evansville, where he died in 1833.  His sons were Robert, William, Morris, Archibald, John and James.

William McBRIDE, though advanced in years when he came to the Irish settlement, still endeared himself to every one by the mode of his life, and the manner in which he endured the hardships of the country.  He died in 1818.  His sons Thomas, John and William, settled in the neighborhood.  Thomas left two sons, William and John.  William McBRIDE was captain of a militia company in 1813, and was also once a county commissioner. 

Alexander CLARK, who came to the settlement in 1805, located three miles south of where Evansville now stands.  Samuel CROZIER and George WILSON came to the settlement in 1806.  Samuel CROZIER settled two miles south of Evansville.  Being a man of talents and fine character he soon attained a leading position and received high recognition.  Some of his descendants are still living in the county.

In the year 1807 John CAMPBELL settled near the mouth of Nine Mile creek, and subsequently died in 1827, four miles east of Evansville.  Robert FORSTER was another old settler who built a mill, run by horse power, and a steam distillery near the mouth of Plum creek.  These improvements were the attractions that caused the settlement to grow rapidly.  John ANDERSON came in 1808 and first settled near his brother, Colonel ANDERSON, where he lived until his death.  In 1808 William BARNETT came from Kentucky.  He died in 1818.

A block-house was erected in the Irish settlement in 1812, rendered necessary by Indian hostilities.  Andrew BORDERS came to the settlement.  He worked when a young man in the distillery of Robert FOSTER.  Alexander CAMPBELL came to the Irish settlement in the year 1819.

In 1820 Robert BRATNEY came from Tennessee.  He settled on Plum creek.  His sons were:  John B., Robert N. and James C.  Robert BRATNEY was a soldier of the revolutionary war and did his country good service.

There came to Randolph County in 1821 a rather remarkable man, who, if not a pioneer, deserves mention as an early immigrant, James POLLOCK.  This gentleman, to whom the county is greatly indebted for an example of energy and thrift, came from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, to St. Louis in 1818.  Here he followed the trade of tanner for a short time, when, seized with the immigration fever, he came to Randolph County, and settled where Preston now stands.  In 1822 he married Ann Eliza CONWAY, whose father was once scalped and left for dead by the Indians in one of those bloody skirmishes so frequent in these days.  James POLLOCK purchased a farm of John RANKIN, who had previously purchased of Washington STERRITT, and erected on it a tan-yard.  This was a new enterprise, and Mr. POLLOCK being a man of energy and sagacity, did not wait for trade to come to him.  When hides were scarce, he bought cattle and slaughtered them, and, loading the carcasses on boat, pushed off down the river, visiting the towns as far as New Orleans; and disposing of his beef, returned to load up a new supply.  In this way he maintained his business and increased his property, until he owned all the land upon, which Preston stands, and much in the vicinity.  He died in 1867.  He was the father of twelve children.

John H. McCARTY originally came from Kentucky in 1828, and was a prominent man, holding at times the offices of sheriff, assessor and treasurer.

Mary M. BRATNEY, wife of John B. BRATNEY, who resides at Preston, is a daughter of James POLLOCK, above mentioned.  Her husband is the son of James BRATNEY, who came from Ireland to Tennessee, and thence to Randolph County with his father, Robert BRATNEY, who was a gallant soldier in the war of the Revolution.  Joseph BRATNEY, his son, served in the war of 1812, under General JACKSON.  On their arrival in Randolph County, the family entered a half section of land on Little Plum creek, just above its mouth.

The HON. Jonathan CHESNUTWOOD is one of the oldest residents in Evansville.  He is the son of Samuel CHESNUTWOOD and Hannah HUGHS, who were united in marriage in 1796 in Lancaster County, PA.  Jonathan was born in Stark County, Ohio, in the year 1824, and was the youngest in a family of nine.  He entered upon a classical course of study at Marletta in 1847.  After three years he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1852 came to Evansville, where he has since resided.

Paul PAUTLER, of Evansville, is one of the oldest German residents.  He was born in Alsace, France, in 1834.  His father, Joseph PAUTLER, emigrated to this country, landing at New York in 1847.  He went from there, first to Erie County, in western New York.  In 1852 Paul came to Randolph County, Illinois.

DR. Rudolph HOMAN is a native of Hanover, Germany.  He emigrated to this country January, 1838, and first settled in St. Louis, attending school until 1845, when he went as midshipman on the man-of-war “Susquehanna,” served until 1847, when, having temporarily lost the use of his eyes by an explosion, he returned to St. Louis and studied medicine with Prof. POPE, and graduated from the University.  He first began to practice in Centreville and Georgetown, St. Clair County, IL., and in 1856 came to Randolph County, where he has since practiced in Evansville.

Charles OHMS, Wilhelm RICKNAGEL, John SHULINE, Daniel BERTHOLE and Frank VACHT, are residents of the precinct living along the road between Preston and Evansville, who came from St. Clair County, IL., in 1856.  They were originally from Germany.  Valentine WEHRHEIM is the son of John WEHRHEIM who came to this country from Germany in 1834, and landed first in New Orleans, and came thence to St. Louis, and thence to Randolph County.  The year 1854, marks his advent to Evansville, where he entered upon an extensive and prosperous career, leaving the impress of his energy on Evansville and the surrounding country, where he is still remembered.

He built the flouring mill in conjunction with Cadwell EVANS, which was destroyed in 1864 by fire.  He rebuilt the mill, and it still stands a monument to his foresight and thrift. 

N. and W. SAUER are the sons of Philp SAUER, who emigrated from HESSE CASSEL, GERMANY, in or about 1833.  He settled first in Monroe County, engaged in farming, and afterwards came to Randolph County.

A true specimen of the old pioneer is, Wiley ROBERTS, living about two miles from the town of Evansville in a southwesterly direction, on a farm situated between survey’s 442 and 444.  His father, Thomas ROBERTS, came from Kentucky in the year 1787.  His mother’s name was Jane PRESTON, daughter of Daniel PRESTON, a native of Penna.  Thomas ROBERTS first settled in Randolph County near Kaskaskia, on Gen. EDGAR’S land.  He remained there until his death in 1860.  He raised nine sons.  One daughter died while young.  His sons names were William, John, Preston, Jacob, Wiley, Thomas, Darius, Volney and Perry, all of whom except William settled in the County.  Thomas, the father of the above children, was a scout and ranger along with Captain McDONOUGH, Major HUGHS and others.  He was a county commissioner and judge under the old law, at the same time that Judge THOMPSON, HYZER and GILLISPIE held their positions.  Wiley ROBERTS was born in Randolph County, April 30^th, 1822, near the place where he now lies.(lives)  He served in the Mexican war under Captain ROZIER and Col. John C. FREMONT, and was mustered out at the close of the war at Fort Leavenworth.

TOWN OF EVANSVILLE

Evansville is beautifully situated on the eastern side of the Kaskaskia River about 10 miles from Kaskaskia.  The land upon which it is built is hilly, affording good drainage and fine plats for private residents.  The town was laid out in 1834 by Cadwell EVANS.  Prior to that time in 1811 Andrew WHITE formed the town site, and after some years sold out to Adam HENDERSON, who in turn sold it to Levi NORTH.  A ferry was run across the river by NORTH, called after him, “NORTH’S FERRY,” a name by which it was for a long time known.  Eli CHAPPELL purchased the property from NORTH, and in turn sold it to Cadwell EVANS, from whom it took the name EVANSVILLE.

The first buildings erected were a dwelling-house, and wagon and plough shop.  In 1837, Mr. EVANS built a horse mill, and Paul CRADDOCK a cooper shop.  The next year a tan yard was opened by Edmund ECCLES and Joseph BRATNEY.  Mr. EVANS at the same time started a hotel.  In the year following William McNEAL commenced the saddlery business, and in 1840, William McKee O’MELVENY opened a store for general merchandizing.  At this time it seemed probable the town would grow up to a flourishing place, and great expectations were entertained in regard to its importance.  But a crash came, and it remained without any increase in the way of improvements, until the year 1847, when that industrious and capable man before mentioned, John WEHRHEIM, opened a store.  Another accession of importance to the place was made in 1852, by the arrival of Jonathan CHESNUTWOOD and his large stock of goods.  About this time John WEHRHEIM built a mill which contributed largely to the growth of the place.

The river afforded facilities for the transportation of flour, and the mill was the “Mecca,” to which the farmers far and near directed their footsteps for flour for family use.

In 1857 a brewery was built, and many yet living can attest to the good quality of the product.  Thus, the little town gained new accessions, and feeling its importance, bid for the county seat against Chester.  The country around partook of its enterprise, and the farmers of the neighborhood organized an agricultural society, that gave several very creditable exhibitions, and ultimately united its force with the Randolph County Agricultural Society, dropping its cognomen of Western Randolph Agricultural Society, which doubtless was a wise and proper movement.

In the last few years Evansville has been slowly but steadily improving; the Kaskaskia River is now successfully navigated, and secures beyond all hazard the transportation for its mills and other products; an advantage that must enhance its future  prosperity.  Steamboats ply between Evansville and Chester.  The town now has a population of 500, and contains several substantial brick and frame residences and business houses.  It has a good mill; it is owned by N. and W. SAUER.  The capacity of the mill is two hundred barrels per day.  It has two churches—one Catholic, and one German Lutheran; both fine brick edifices.  Two school-houses-one Catholic, and a free school.

The ferry by which conveyance is had across the river is owned by the Messrs. WILLIAMSON and CRAGIN.  Evansville has in addition to the above the following places of business:  One dry goods store kept by the WAGNER BROTHERS; one dry goods store kept by Valentine WEHRHEIM; one drug store by the Postmaster William H. GRANT; one post office; four physicians, Rudolph HOMAN, M.D.; Jerome THOMPSON, M.D.; W. J. CROZER M.D. and J. M. WILSON, M.D.; one blacksmith and machine shop, by Peter BAUMBAUER; one shoemaking shop, F. WULF; one Police Magistrate, Henry G.MEYEROTT; one Justice of the Peace, James S. GRAY; one saddle and harness shop, Henry RABE.  There is also a limestone quarry and a cooper shop.  The latter is run in connection with the mill.  There are three hotels.  One is kept by Paul PAUTLER, one by Henry PAUTLER and one by Joseph MEYER.

There are several saloons and feed stables.  The citizens are mostly of German descent, and exhibit the social traits peculiar to the race, enjoying the pic-nic and the dance.  They are also highly moral and cultivated.  Attending to their own business, conservative in politics and religion they constitute a pleasant community.

PRESTON VILLAGE

This is a very quiet place, with a few good family residence. Preston owes much of the interest attaching to it from the church location here, which is considered the mother of Associate Reformed churches in Illinois.

James PATTERSON settled upon the town site in 1804, and sold out in 1816 to Washington STERRIT, who in turn sold to John RANKIN in 1820.  James POLLOCK bought of the latter and established a tan yard in 1823.  SAMUEL B. STRANKEY opened a store in 1833; POLLOCK and BRATNEY also opened a store in 1835, and the town lots were surveyed and laid off May 12, 1836, by Samuel G. THOMPSON, deputy county surveyor.  The village is located in Section 10 in the N. E. corner of the precinct, and has a population of about one hundred.  It contains one dry goods store kept by W. J. HILL; a post office, Postmaster J. B. BRATNEY; Deputy Postmaster W. J. HILL; two blacksmith shops, one wagon maker’s shop, one saw mill, one physician, J. W. SEMPLE, M. D., and one schoolhouse.  The village owes much of its renown to its being the locality where was formed a church that dates back to 1810, called the original “Associate Reformed Presbyterian.”

REF: “Combined History of Randolph, Monroe and Perry Counties, Illinois” Published by J. L. McDonough & Co., Philadelphia Corresponding Office, Edwardsville, IL.  1883

Pages 415, 416, & 417

Contributed by Carolyn Whitaker Email:  [email protected]

Website: http://hometown.aol.com/atsissie/pubpage.htm

Descends through the THOMPSON, ANDERSON, SKELLY, and McBRIDE families