Randolph County ILGenWeb
Col. Levens in Sec 1 and 2 of the Horse Creek area first settled this township. In 1802 Paul Harrelston came to the mouth of Camp Creek. 1806 brought Samuel Crozier to settled about 3 miles south of Evansville and 1808 the Henderson family came in from SC. The O'Harra's family was originally from MD but came to IL from KY in 1817. The senior member was Henry who bought land at Walnut Ridge about 1 mile north of Ruma. This family was Catholic. About the same time, Mudd, Simpson and Donahue families settled the same area. A church was est. and later the College of the Sacred Heart. Amos Paxton moved south of Ruma. In 1818 Joseph and Thomas Orr made the trip from VA. Joseph was a Major in the militia and died in Sparta c 1850. Thomas Orr moved on to Pike CO in 1829. 1818 also saw John Brewer of KY and the Hull brothers also of KY (Norton, Samuel, Lewis and Thomas). John Brewer's sons were Thomas, Felix, Vincent, George, Pius and John.
Ruma was located on the old Belleville and Kaskaskia road. The Post Office was established in 1849. It is located on Rt. 3 south of Red bud.
Evansville was first settled by Andrew White in 1811, he sold to Adam Henderson, who sold to Levi Worth. Mr. Worth had the ferry there, at this time the town was called North Ferry. He sold the land to Eli Chappell who in turn sold it to Caldwell Evans. Mr. Evans had the town laid out in 1834. Edmond Eccles moved to the new town in 1836. By 1837 there was a mill, Evans' put up a hotel and Paul Craddock owned a cooper shop in town. In 1840 William McKee O'Melvany opened a store and 1847 a Mr. Wehrhein had a store as well. A Post Office was est. in 1849 By 1857 Jonathan Chestnutwood of Ohio had a brewery in Evansville.
Marigold formerly called Dogwood is a tiny hamlet located on county Rd 1200E south of Ruma. The Post Office was est. there in 1856.
Clark was at one time located south of Evansville
Blenheim was located north of Evansville where the creek goes into the Kaskaskia River.
O'Harra was located halfway between Evansville and Ruma on Rt. 3. A Post Office was est. in 1830 and closed in 1835. Henry O'Harra first settled the area. Nothing remains today.