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Knox County ILGenWeb |
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Persifer Township |
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"The first settler in Persifer Township was Charles Bradford, who settled on Sec. 27, in 1833. Geo. Manley was the first to administer the important functions of Justice of the Peace. R. C. Benson, Esq., and Miss S. J. Bradford, in 1837, were the first couple married in the Township. Esq. Benson still resides in the Township an honored and respected citizen. The first sermon was preached by Rev. S. S. Miles, a New School Presbyterian, at the residence of Mr. Bradford. A daughter to Mr. and Mrs. J. Reynolds was the first birth. The first death was Elizabeth Bradford, wife of Chas. Bradford, in 1834. First school house was built in 1841, on Sec. 39. Jno. McIntosh was teacher. There is one Church in Persifer, a Methodist, on Sec. 30. On Sec. 34, resides the Hon. Rufus W. Miles, a prominent citizen of Knox County." From the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman. [Submitted by Bob Miller.] "This township, which is bounded on the north by Copley, on the east by Truro, on the south by Haw Creek and on the west by Knox, is largely composed of timber land. There are some as fine farms, and wealthy, enterprising farmers in this township as can be found in the State. R. C. Benson was the first man married in the township. He wedded the only young lady in the township that was old enough at that time to be a bride. She was Miss S. J. Bradford, daughter of Charles Bradford. Benson came to the township in 1835, and was married January 5, 1837. After his arrival he took a claim of 160 acres, and after building a cabin and breaking six acres, sold it for $400 and a horse. He then purchased the farm upon which he now resides with the same money, and a squatter's cabin for $4.50, which he moved upon his farm. He daubed the stick chimney with black mud or soil, and the first rain that came washed the chimney down. For another chimney Mr. Benson hollowed out a large sycamore tree some seven feet long and three feet in diameter, and with skids rolled it up and set it on end upon the jamb of the fire place. This made a good chimney and was used for a long time. The floor of this rude cabin was made of lin puncheons; the door was made of walnut boards fastened to battens with wooden pins; the hinges were of wood, one piece set into an augur hole in the door jamb and the other pinned to the door so as to connect with the other piece. The latch was also made of wood with a buckskin string hanging out, inviting neighbors and weary travelers to enter. This is but a fair sample of many of the abodes of the early settlers of Persifer. Mr. Benson planted two cotton-wood trees in front of his house 39 years ago. These are large stately trees at present. The life of Mr. Benson is but a sample of that of many pioneers of Knox county; and we feel it due to posterity to relate a more detailed description of the manner in which he lived, - of the hardships and trials and sufferings encountered during his early life in Persifer township. When he came to the township he was exceedingly poor; he, however, had a gun and and old horse; with these, and two willing hands he started out to make a farm. He did not have even any grain to live on, but subsisted mostly on game. His first task was to fence in a small yard; so with ax, maul and wedge he went to the timber. He could cut the trees and make about 200 rails per day, and frequently in the evening kill a deer. They were seldom out of venison and wild honey. Deer were plentiful at that time. Mr. Benson tells us the largest number he ever saw in one day was 75, and largest number he ever shot in one day was 25. The most he ever killed and got in one day was three. Once he killed two at one shot. The largest number of bee-trees found in one day was six. The heaviest ladened tree he ever found was a sycamore on Spoon river. From this tree he secured a common tub full, two pails and several sugar-troughs full. The tree was thin-shelled, and when it fell it split wide open. The honey ran out in a large stream upon the ground. After he had filled all of his vessels he stood in honey several inches deep! He finally managed to get some meal, when the family feasted upon mush and milk, venison and wild honey for some time. By the second year he had a small piece of land ready to plant in corn. He took his old horse and laid it off. His wife followed and dropped the corn, and he covered it with a plow. They had a large dog, which they left at the house to take charge of the child. Snakes and wolves, and other dangerous animals were numerous, but the faithful dog would let nothing have his charge; and when the child would try to crawl away, would drag it back into the house. The first Sabbath school of Persifer township was held at the house of Charles Bradford in 1838, by Rev. S. S. Miles. The lesson was about the three Hebrew children. The first sermon was preached by Rev. S. S. Miles, June, 1836, in the same house. The first school-house was built in 1841. John McIntosh was teacher. Hon. R. W. Miles now represents the township in the Board of Supervisors, and has filled the office for eighteen years. He is chairman of that honorable body, John W. Manley, James M. Maxey, John Biggerstaff, James Dawsett and R. C. Benson have served as members of this Board, - the later by appointment to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of R. W. Miles. A tribe of Indians settled or located on Court creek, Persifer township, whose custom was to make sugar from the maple trees. They used brass kettles in which to boil the sap. It seems one spring, after they had made considerable sugar, they were compelled to leave. Among the Indians was a squaw and her son called "Bill." This woman had accumulated great wealth. Not being able to carry all her money, she filled one of the kettles with gold and silver and buried it on the bank of the creek. She was afraid of the whites; so after reaching her destination in the West she sent her son back after her money. Bill made extensive searches up and down the creek, but failed to find it, and the treasure is supposed to be still buried somewhere on Court creek. On the Taylor farm, in 1841, a cellar was being dug, when at a depth of about four feet three bars of copper were found. These had been forged out by hand. A well was sunk, when down about 22 feet the remains of a camp-fire were found. Charcoal and rubbish were discovered, which plainly proved that at one time, within the life of man here, that was the surface." From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago. [Submitted by Fay Kummer.] Persifer went into township organization April 5, 1853. George W. Manley was chosen Moderator, and Richard Daniel, Clerk of the election. After the polls were closed it was found that the following-named citizens were elected to fill the township offices: George W. Manley, Supervisor; Richard Daniel, Clerk; James McCord, Assessor; William T. Butt, Collector; Francis Wilson, Caleb Reece and David Cobb, Commissioners of Highways; Rufus W. Miles and Thomas Patton, Justices of the Peace; Wilson Fierce, Overseer of the Poor; L.A. Parkins and David Russell, Constables. The township is very liberally watered by numerous streams which meander through it and empty into Spoon River. This river also ventures a little way into the eastern border. The township is quite broken in some parts and pretty well timbered; the southwestern portion, however, is rolling prairie. It, like the four townships cornering on it, Elba, Truro, Victoria and Copley, has no railroad. The Peoria Branch, however, passes within about half a mile of its southwestern corner. R. C. Benson is credited with being the first settler in the township, coming in 1835. He was also the first man to form a matrimonial alliance, taking to his cabin home the only marriageable lady in the township, in the person of Sarah J. Bradford. This wedding was celebrated at the home of the bride's father, Charles Bradford, Jan.5, 1837. Mr. Benson took his fair bride to his home, which was not unlike most of the dwellings in those pioneer days. He was a great hunter, and upon his unerring aim and good rifle he depended mostly for his substance. To this he added a more delicate luxury, the product of the wild bee. In looking for a bee-tree his eyes were as true as when looking along the line of his rifle-barrel after a bounding deer. Adding the above articles, venison and honey, to that of corn-meal, made up the repast during the pleasant days of the honeymoon of Benson and his bride. The first child born was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. The first death was that of Mrs. Elizabeth Bradford. The first sermon preached in the township was by Rev. B. B. Miles, father of Rufus W. Miles. In 1838, a Sabbath-school was organized at the home of Charles Bradford, by this clergyman, and it is remembered to have been a very interesting one. John McIntosh taught the first school, in 1841, in a log school-house that was built this year. The Indians were living about this township when the white people came. They remained for some time, hunting and making baskets and maple sugar. Among these Indians were a squaw and her son. She had, it was reported, accumulated quite an amount of money in gold and silver. Having to leave, with her tribe, and being unable to take all of her money with her, she buried part of it on the banks of Court Creek, in one of her iron kettles. Subsequently she sent her son back for it, but he was unable to find it, and as far as is known it has never been found. Persifer is the home of Hon. Rufus W. Miles, who has held many important township positions, and who has also represented the county for several years in the Legislature. It was Mr. Miles who sent President Lincoln a pen made from the quill of an eagle, with which the martyred President wrote his first inaugural address. Accompanying the quill was a letter to the President which was remarkable for its prophetic character. There are four churches in the township - the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, the building of which was erected in 1863, on section 30, at a cost of about $1,800. Maxey Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, on section 4, was erected several years ago. The United Brethren have a church on section 34; their building is a good one and was erected in 1868; this is called the Persifer Chapel. Mound Chapel is located on section 8, and was built in 1872. There are some finely-cultivated farms in this township, and pleasant homes. It has no town within its borders, the nearest market being Knoxville, where most of the people do their trading. The population at the last census was 765, and there has been but little gain since. The School Superintendent's report for 1885 gives the following statistics regarding the schools of this township: There are nine school districts, with nine ungraded schools, and all the school-houses were frame. The value of school property was $2,875. 25. Of persons under 21 years of age, there were 327, of whom 213 were of school age, 181 being enrolled. SUPERVISORS George W. Manley, 1853-54; R. W. Miles, 1855-58; George W. Manley, 1859; James W. Maxey, 1860-61; R. W. Miles, 1862- 67; James Dorsett, 1868-69; J. J. Biggerstaff, 1870-71; R. W. Miles, 1872-78; E. J. Wyman, 1879-1884; R. W. Miles, 1885-86. |