1883 Combined History
DIXON
This precinct is situated in the extreme southwest part of the county, is nearly rectangular in form, and bounded as follows: On the north by Big creek and Albion precinct, east by French creek, south by White county, and on the west by Wayne county. It receives its name in honor of John Dixon, who was a prominent settler of 1841, and includes a part of two townships numbers two and three range ten east. Originally it was timbered land, interspersed with small glades which were covered with fine grasses. Large belts of timber yet exist within its boundaries, sufficient to supply the iuhabitants with all needed lumber, fuel, and fencing for years to come. The surface is undulating and well formed for surface drainage. The principal streams are the Little Wabash, and Big creek. The former extends through the southwest, and the latter constitutes the northwest boundary. The soil is a chocolate-colored clay subsoil, and well adapted to the raising of an excellent quality of wheat. Corn is cultivated sufficiently to supply home consumption. Oats, grasses, potatoes, and fruit are among the products. In an early day corn constituted the principal product, but for many years wheat and pork have furnished the main revenue for this part of the county. But little, if any, lands lie in the~ precinct that are not susceptible of improvement the drainage being such that even the low lauds can be cultivated.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
The first white man to venture into the wilds of this precinct was Joseph Boltinghouse, in the fall of 1816. He was a single man, and came from what is now White county, with a drove of hogs to let them forage on the mast of Big creek timber. A little south of the creek on what is now the Churchill lands, he established his camp and became monarch of the woods; but his reign was a short and eventful one. The particulars of his death cannot be recorded, but enough is known to assert that he was massacred by a band of Shawnee Indians. When found his head was severed from the body and stuck upon a pole by his camp, the body lying near in a mangled condition. The remains were buried near where the body lay. Tradition says that the Rangers pursued the Indians, finding them encamped near the Wabash. They captured them, tied stones to their bodies, and sunk them in the river.
The first to make a permanent location here were Daniel and James Boltinghouse, brothers of the above. This was early in 1817. They were formerly from Kentucky, but on coming to Illinois, they settled with their father in White county. Daniel was a man of a family, and his brother James lived with him. They located in section 26, township number two south, range ten east, a little south and east of Big creek, in the edge of the timber. The prairie stretching northward toward Albion receives its name from these early setters. They remained here until about 1837, when they moved to the State of Arkansas.
Thomas Riley, a native of Ireland, settled in the precinct the same year as the Boltinghouses. He was then a single man, and in 1822, married Sarah Morris, a daughter of one of the pioneers. Mr. Riley located in section 17, township 3 south, range 10 east. He improved a good farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred about 1852, his widow surviving him but a few years. None of his descendants are now living in the precinct. Another pioneer of 1817, was Isaac Morris, who was an emigrant from the south. He had a large family, and was a pure type of the backwoodsman and hunter. He located in section 5, township 3 south, range 10 east, where he built a rude log cabin, containing one room, which supplied the entire purpose of kitchen, dining, and sleeping apartment for his numerous family. He, like all the old hunters, was noted for relating exaggerated accounts of his hunting expeditions, one of which we will place before our readersOne morning, before breakfast, he concluded to go out and bring in a deer or two, as the family had been without fresh meat for a few days. He had been in the timber but a short time when he brought down a fine buck. Throwing him across his shoulder, he had pro. ceeded but a short distance, when a large black bear jumped up before him, and with the crack of his rifle bruin bit the dust. He placed the huge carcass on the other shoulder and proceeded homeward. Breakfast was waiting, and he dumped the bear upon the floor and sat down to the table with the family. His wife asked him if he proposed to eat his meal with that deer upon his back. He apologized by saying, that he felt so light after dropping the bear, that he had entirely forgotten about the incumbrance on the other shoulder. The object of relating the above is to more fully portray the character of the man; and the pith of the whole story is, it was related by him as being an absolute fact. He and his wife died, at the old home long ago, and the children have all removed to other parts of the country.
There was quite an influx of immigration in 1818, among whom was William Brown, a native of the state of Maine. When twelve years of age his father prepared to emigrate to Ohio, but died on the way. William fell in with emigrants coming to Illinois, and in 1818, reached the new formed state. Here he remained, and in 1828, entered a quarter section of land in section 10, township 3 south, range 10 east. Subsequently he married Mary Harper, from which reunion nine children were born, six of whom are now residing in the county. Mr. Brown improved an excellent farm, on which he lived to a good old age, enjoying the fruits of his labor. He died in 1877. His widow is yet residing at the old farm, now 72 years of age, and is the oldest pioneer citizen of the precinct. Alfred, a son, is living on a portion of the original homestead, and is one of the staunch and public-spirited men of the county. Thomas Harper was born in North Carolina, and emigrated to Kentucky in an early day. He removed to Indiana, and in 1818, came to Illinois and located in White county. In 1822, he moved into this precinct and settled in section 3, township 3, range 10 east. At his coming he had a family of five children, James, William, Thomas, John, and Mary. The latter is the only one of the family now living, being the widow of William Brown, above mentioned. Mr. Harper was a representative citizen, having served as the first magistrate of the precinct for several years. He died in 1829. Mrs. Harper lived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1875.
Robert Willis was born in England, and emigrated to the States in 1817. Soon afterward he located in Dixon precinct, section 14, township 3 south, range 10 east. His family consisted of his wife and three children, Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth. He improved a good farm, and was considered one of the most kind and charitable citizens of the settlement. He died about 1863, mourned by many warm friends. Mrs. Willis survived him but a few years. One daughter, Hannah, widow of Edward Kershaw another early settler is residing at Grayville. The family of Threads came from England in the same year as the above, and located in the north part of the precinct. The old folks died long ago; several of their descendants are now residing north of Albion. Hester, a daughter, was the wife of Elias Chism, now a citizen of Albion. William Everly, Charles Birks, James Kenedy, Thomas Sloan and James Jordan all came in 1818. Mr. Everly and Mr. Sloan remained here until their decease, which occurred in an early day. Mr. Jordan was elected to the State Legislature for one term, but subsequently moved to Indiana. Mr. Birks also moved to Indiana. Mr. Kenedy remained for some time, when he located in the northern part of the State. None of their descendants are living in the county. John Burton was a pioneer of 1819. He came from England with his family and settled in section 14, township three south, range ten east, where he remained until about 1830, when he moved to New Harmony, Indiana, where he resided until his death. His children went with him, so that none of his descendants are now in this part of the country. Joel Churchill was a settler of 1819, a brief sketch of whom will be found in Albion chapter. Other old residents of the precinct who are now living are Charles Baxter, John Hallam, Thomas Frankland, Charles Potter and others.
First Land Entries. - The first land entered in Dixon precinct was June 6, 1816, by George Morris, and described as follows: The N. W. 1/4 of section 5, Tp. 3 S , range 10 E. The following are also in the same township and range: September 26, 1818, William Adams entered the N. W. 1/4 of section 4; November 2, 1818, Robert Willis entered the E. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4 of section 15; April 21, 1819, Jonathan Williams entered the S. E. 1/4 of section 3; same date, John Burton entered the E. 1/2 of the S. E. 1/4 of section 14. The following entries are in Tp. 2 S., R. 10 E.: August 30, 1817, James Boltinghouse entered the N. E. 1/4 of section 26; September 20, 1817, James Meredith entered the S. W. 1/4 of section 27; September 4, 1817, Isaac Ellison entered the N. W. 1/4 of section 33; May 4, 1819, Joel Churchill entered the S. W. 1/4 of section 34.
The first settlers were far more sociable and hospitable than the people of this age of gain and greed. A man was a neighbor if he lived ten miles away, and it was no uncommon thing for them to go that distance to aid one another in raising their cabins. At the house raisings and log rollings, it was customary to have a large supply of whisky on hand, and the jug was passed around at least every half hour, so that by afternoon many of them would be more or less hilarious. Then would commence the boasting and bantering by those who considered themselves the "best men." A wrestling match or a "rough and tumble" would soon follow, and sometimes the curtain would drop with bunged eyes and bloody noses behind the scenes. .. Beetrees and wild honey was so common in those days that it was not unusual for the hunters to find a half dozen trees in as many hours, and thus honey and beeswax became staple articles for barter. Mills for grinding their corn were few and far between. The first mill built in this precinct was about 1840, by John Elder, and was located on his farm in section 4, township three south, range ten east. It was a horse mill capable of grinding about twenty bushels of meal daily. The first blacksmith was John Smith. His shop was established about 1847, and was situated in section 10 township three south, range ten east. He died here several years ago. The first goods were sold by Joseph Shaw in 1846. His store was located in section 3, same township and range as the above. Mr. Shaw died in a few years and the business ceased.
The first school was taught in a log cabin situated on the Churchill land. This was in 1824, and the teacher was Daniel Bain, who was considered a good instructor in those days. The first to administer to the spiritual wants of the people here was the Rev. Roberts, of the Baptist persuasion, in 1823. The services were held in the private residences of the settlers. Reverends Robert Delap and James Jagers were also early preachers. The first church building was erected in 1849 by the Methodist denomination. It is a log building and is situated in the northwest corner of section 10, township three south, range ten east. The first burial ground was established on the farm of Daniel Boltinghouse in the north part of the precinct. The first interment was a child of Mr. Boltinghouse. This cemetery has been neglected, and but few if any interments have been made here for several years. The first to attend to the sick was Dr. Archibald Spring, of Albion, who died in that town several years ago. The first justice of the peace was Thomas Harper, and John Elder was his successor. But few of the pioneers now remain of this settlement to give the history of the olden time.
Extracted 25 Aug 2018 by Norma Hass from A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, published in 1883, pages 289-291.
