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| Oak Mound Cemetery, Clay Co., IL |
Clay County Genealogical Society. Clay Roots, Louisville, IL: Clay County Genealogical Society, Summer 1993.
Page 1 - Bible Grove Township - This township is situated in the northeast corner of Clay County. It's name was derived from the fact that a Bible was found by hunters in a grove near where Georgetown stood. Bible Grove is at town 5 north, range 7 east and lies between Effingham County on the north, and Hoosier Township on the south. On the east the boundary is Pixley Township and Jasper County and the west by Blair Township. In the northeast corner, running through Section 1 & 12 is Limestone Branch, on the banks of which John Pulliam settled in the early days.
Cottonwood Creek rises in Section 12, flows south and leaves the township in Section 36. It is fed in many tributaries arising in Little Prairie which lies west of it. Little Muddy Creek rises in Effingham County and enters the township in Section 33.
The country between Big Muddy Creek and Cottonwood Creek is called Little Prairie, also Levitt Prairie, and on it the first settlement was made.
The first actual settlement was made in 1835 on Section 31 by Cyrus Mason. William Lewis entered land in Section 15 in 1836. He died there in 1844 and is buried on the farm he entered. Washington Lewis came to the township in 1836 from Floyd County, Indiana. He entered 200 acres of land in Sections 28 & 29.
The following people entered land in Bible Grove:
- 1835 Cyrus Mason, section 31 . . .
- 1836 Henry Brooks section 23 . . .
- 1836 William Brooks section 26
- 1836 Washington Lewis section 28 & 29
- 1836 Eli Erwin section 34 . . .
- 1837 David Erwin section 28 . . .
George Monical came here about 1843 and settled in section 17 and died here. He laid out Georgetown, which he insisted on calling Edinburg. . . .
Page 2 - . . . first saw mill was put up by George Monical & Son . . . A steam mill and carding machine was built and operated by W.W. Wolf. It changed proprietors several times and was finally moved to Iola.
Pages 3-4 Map of Clay County - selected descriptions:
- Edinburg, later Georgetown, then Lewis Settlement, now Bible Grove
- Flora in Harter Twp.
- Hoosier in Sec. 22, Hoosier Twp. was a post office 1875-1903
- Hoosier Prairie in section 22, [Hoosier Twp.] named changed to Hoosier
- Iola in section 34 Larkinsburg Twp. a post office 1850 to present
- Jordan, the name was changed to Hord - post office 1848 to 1905, sections 10, 11, 14, 15, later moved 3/4 mile west [Blair Twp.]
- Larkinsburg, also called Bishop & Iola, section 34 [Larkinsburg Twp.]
- Lewis, the railroad name for Louisville in Louisville Twp.
- Louisville in section 23 Louisville Twp. a post office 1839 to present
- Orchard City Flora was called Orchard City about 1900 for its's orchards [Harter Twp.]
- Oskaloosa in section 28, Oskaloosa Twp. a post office 1851 - 1907.
- Panther Creek in Blair & Louisville Twp.
- Sailor Springs in section 19 & 30 Pixley Twp., a post office 1881 - 1892.
- Suttons Point section 28 in Oskaloosa Twp. a post office 1851 changed to Oskaloosa in 1867, post office closed in 1907
- Tolliver in Blair Twp. a post office 1899 to 1905.
- Upper Xenia in section 3, Xenia Twp. a post office from 1848 from Cato then to Xenia, still open, but moved to Xenia.
- Xenia in sections 3, 9 & 10 Xenia Twp.
Page 21 The Clay County Republican, March 6, 1924, John Spiker Dies of Heart Trouble: John Spiker, of Songer Twp. while helping Edd Nash do some work on his farm became suddenly ill. Mr. Spiker was taken at once to his home but upon arrival there remarked he was feeling much better. After staying for a short time with Mr. Spiker, Mr. Nash left thinking he was out of dange but within a few minutes after Mr. Nash left he was again taken [p. 22] suddeny seriously ill. Mrs. Spiker at once called for medical aid but he was dead before a doctor could arrive.
Funeral services were held Sunday and he was buried at the Colclasure Cemetery in Songer Township.
[John W. Spiker b. 20 May 1864 md. Anna A. Rose, March 10, 1887. He was the son of Jacob & Rachel (Colclasure) Spiker.]
Page 32 Harter Township - The portion of Clay County that forms Harter Township was destined to lead the way in population due in part to the old State Road leading from Vincennes to St. Louis. This was the great highway by which many reached this part of this part of the state to make their home. Soil and climate were considered good and this with the major highway gave us a class of settlers who for sobriety, industry, and intelligence is not excelled anywhere. These were times of home-made clohing and limited educational facilities and hardships sch as the present generation has never seen.
Harter Township lies in the southern and central part of Clay County and covers an area of 54 square miles. Bounded on north by Louisville Township, Stanford Township on the east, Songer and Xenia on the west and Wayne County on the south. Drained by Raccoon Creek near the northwest corner and south of this is Bear Creek. Elm Creek has its source in Section 28 just west of a residence once owned by J.A. Gerheart.
First settlers found virgin plains unclaimed, untouched, hedgeless, and free to all awaiting the civilizing influence of man. Many acres became farmland. Much attention was given to fruit growing also. It was estimated that 25,000 apple trees were put out in this township alone in the fall of 1883 and spring of 1884. . . .
Page 33 - In 1839 James Jacobs came to this county from Indiana and settled in Songer Township. His son Isaac married Abbey Colclasure and settled in Section 18 of Harter. Early entries in the township were: . . .
- 1838 Abraham Colclasure section 8
- 1838 Micajah Brooks section 7
- 1838 Jacob Colclasure section 17
- 1839 David Golden section 7
- 1839 Thomas Golden section 17
- 1852 Jones Talafora
Page 43 Hoosier Township is located at town 4 north range 7 east. It is bounded on the north by Bible Grove Township, on the east by Pixley Township, on the south by Stanford Township, and the west by Louisville Township. Early settlers were mostly from Indiana as in a majority of the other townships in the county. As they settled in the prairie west of the Little Muddy Creek, i was so named Hoosier Township in honor of their native state. About two-thirds of the township was rolling prairie with a good growth of timber along its streams. Another prairie, Levitts Prairie, lies to the east of the Little Muddy. The Little Wabash River enters the township in 3 places. In the opposite corner of the township, the Big Muddy Creek flows through a small portion of Section 1. The main waterway which flows for a distance through the township is the Little Muddy Creek which enters from the north of section 4 and exits from the southeast corner of section 36.
The first entries of land were made in 1833 and were as follows:
- Jarrett L. Erwin, SW1/4, NE1/4 Sec. 15; SW1/4, SE1/4 Sec. 10
- William Erwin, E1/4, NW1/4 Sec. 15; E1/4, SW1/4 Sec. 15
Page 46 - Obituary for Ellen (Rinehart) Scott
Born Nov. 5, 1836, daughter of Jacob & Sarah (--?--) Rinehart, 3rd child of 12
Died April 7, 1929, Hoosier Twp., Clay Co., IL
Married Joseph M. Scott July 11, 1857, b. March 27, 1835, died October 1873
Five children: George, Joseph, Ellen married (--?--) Bible, Louisa md. John Edward Fitzgerald, Aug. 9, 1879, child not identified
Page 66 - Clay County Republican, March 24, 1932 - Martha J. Colclasure was born February 8, 1849, near Xenia, Illinois, departed this life March 13, 1932, at the age of 83 years, 1 month, 5 days. She moved near Iola with her parents when she was young. She was united in marriage to Asa Smith April 2, 1871. To this union was born one daughter, Mrs. C.V. Cruse. Her husband having preceded her to the Great Beyond 14 years ago. After marriage they live don the farm near the Mound until failing health changed their home to the daughters at Iola, where they both spent their last days with all the care that could be given them. To know her was to love her. She was one of the best mothers. She was a help mate in every way always looking on the bright side of life, speaking good of everyone. She joined the Missionary Baptist church at the age of 14 years and lived close to God each day of her life, expressing a desire to go with him anytime he sould call her. She leaves to mourn this loss her only daughter, Mrs. C.V. Cruse, two brothers, Perry and Raford Colclasure, near Iola, three half brothers, Arthur and Clyde of Iola and Floyd of Sullivan, one half sister Mrs. J.W. Gibson of Flora.
[Martha was the daughter of William Lewis & Harriet Jane (Spiker) Colclasure. Her husband Asa Smith was born 1847, died 1918. Their daughter was Viola (Smith) Cruse b. 1874, d. 1941 who married Dr. Carl Vance Cruse.]
Clay County Genealogical Society, Clay Roots, Winter, Louisville, IL: Clay County Genealogical Society, 1993.
Page 4 - Louisville Township, so named for the county seat of Louisville, which was named after one of the township's oldest families by the name of Lewis. Due to a spelling error by the gentleman who made the plat for the town, it became Louisville instead of Lewisville. The township is bounded on the north by Blair Township, on the east by Hoosier Township, on the south by Harter and on the west by Oskaloosa Township.
The Little Wabash River flows diagonally through the township entering in section 4 and existing the township at section 36. Into it flow a number of tributaries, of which the principal one on the east side is Panther Creek, and on the west Dismal and Crooked Creeks. Buck Creek flows through the southwest corner of the township. . . .
There were five Lewis brothers who came to the township from Indiana around 1830. They were William, Robert, John, David and Crawford. . . .
John Golden was another old settler who came to Louisville Township from Kentucky . . .
The first water mill built in Clay County was built by Weatherspoon at the old town of Louisville. The town of Louisville was situated on the south half of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 23. The streets of the old town, and also of the new one, at present run north 36 degree west and south 54 degree west. . . .
Page 17 - Oskaloosa Township is located at town 4 north, range 5 east, and lies between Louisville Township on the east and Marion County on the west. The north boundary is Larkinsburg Township and the south boundary is Songer Township.
The only streams of consequence are Skillet Creek and Crooked Creek. Skillet Creek enters the west part of the township and flows southeast. Crooked Creek and its tributaries furnish the northeast part of the township with sufficient drainage.
Much of the land is used for farming. The Illinois Central and the two lines of the Ohio & Mississippi - which by their intersection, form a triangle around the township.
Page 29 - There was Carl Colclasure who was killed on Okinawa during WWII.
Page 33 - Clay County Republican, Oct. 22, 1925 Pixley Township - Old Pixley Resident Called Home
Wesley Bryan, one of the well known and highly respected residents of Pixley township was called to his reward Friday of last week funeral services were conducted last Sunday from the Ingraham Christian church, of which he ahd been one of the leading members and officials for perhaps 50 years.
Br. Bryan had followed the occupation of farming all his life, and he was considered one of the progressive farmers of his community. He lived part of his life in Bible Grove township later moving into Pixley township, and when he retired from the farm took up his residence near Ingraham, where he lived at the time of his death.
He successfully reared a family of nine honorable, upright sons and daughters, namely, Everett, Norva, Warren, Grady, Weber, Arrett, Sylva, Fanny & Edna all of whom with his wife survive. Deceased was 74 years old at the time of death.
Page 39 - Clay County Republican, Oct. 22, 1925 Obituary
Wesley Ingraham Bryan was born August 14, 1852. Died October 16, 1925, aged 73 years, two months, two days.
His father Gideon Thompson Bryan, was a minister of the Ingraham Christian church and it was near Ingraham that Wesley I. Bryan was born. He early became a member of this church, and served for several years as deacon.
On August 22, 1875, he was married to Catherine Isabel Smith, who now survives him and to which union there were born nine children, all of whom are living. Of these there are six sons: Edward Everett, Errett Wesley, Norva Cassel, William Grady and Gideon Warren and Weber Jennings. And three daughters: Fanny May Brooks, Mary Elma Bryan an Sylvia Irene Garrison.
There are also of the descendants 25 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, who, with his children and widow, and friends, mourn his departure from their fireside and from their companionship.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
Funeral services were from the Ingraham chruch Rev. Dotey of Flora assisted. Burial at the Ingraham cemetery.
Page 43 - Clay County Republican, August 27, 1925 Obituary
Enoch S. Lewis was born May the 3rd, 1860, near Ingraham, in Jasper County, Illinois. Departed this life August 22, 1925, at his home near Iola, Clay County, Illinois, at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 19 days. He was married to Miss Ella Stanley January 25, 1887. To this union was born five children, Mrs. Eva Reeder, Iola; Mrs. Minnie Smith, Louisville; Mrs. Ora Smith, Benton, IL; Mrs. Ina Weaver, LaClede, IL; and Cyrus Lewis still living at home. Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn their loss two brothers, Jesse W. of Sailor Springs, John Z. of Ingraham, and a sister Mrs. Adda Pruett of Bogota, IL also 13 grandchildren and other relatives. He was a kind and loving husband and father and a good neighbor.
Page 44 - Songer Township - Originally a part of Xenia Township, separated for the second time in 1869, Songer consists of 36 sections located at town 3 north, range 5 east. Bounded on the north by Oskaloosa, on the east by Harter, on the south by Xenia Township and on the west by Marion County. The township is high and rolling and has some of the best agriculture land in the county. In the early 1800s, 75 to 80 percent of the township was prairie with acres of blackberry and hazelnut bushes. Also some fine timber stood in the northwest part along Skillet Fork, in the southwest near Conners Creek and in the Oak Mound community.
Songer Township was so named for one of the earliest and most numerous families in Clay County, the Songers. The township settlers of the first decades were principally from Indiana, Washington County of that state furnishing the greater part.
The first white man in Songer Township to any degree, was William Lewis. He was a huner much like Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett. He camped near the present site of Xenia in 1818 and found game so plentiful he decided to stay. . . .
Two brothers, Jacob and John Colclasure, came from Indiana in 1828 to Section 26. Their father Abram Colclasure came a few years later to the same neighborhood. He died about 1858. There are many Colclasures in the area yet today. . . .
Other early settlers were Edmund Golden, around 1828, Micajah Brooks in 1830 . . .
Page 45 - In 1840 a school was built on Songer's branch with Mary Colson as the teacher. Names in the school included Davenport, Hoskins, Colclasure, Holman, Songer, Scribbler, Martin, Smith and Davis.
Page 46 - Oak Mound News, Songer Twp., January 27, 1916 - Lafe Colclasure and wife [Cora Bell Smith] did shopping in Flora last Friday. . . .
Page 47 - [Edward] Colclasure and two sons, Claud and Victor and J.P. Colclasure cut wood for Uncle Frank Jordan Tuesday of last week.
Page 48 - Songer Township - Oak Mound, November 18, 1915 - Homer Colclasure, an only son of J.M. Colclasure, died last Sunday morning of pneumonia. Funeral services were held at the home on Monday. We sympathize with the bereaved. . . .
Southern Illinois Record, Nov. 1915 - Halloweeners were out in force Saturday night, but we haven't heard of much damage being done. Only Lafe Colclasure spent some valuable time hunting his [sentence ends here].
Page 49 - Songer Township - Colclasures
The Colclasure name played a large part in the forming of Songer Township. The advent into this country goes as far back as "Mach's Refugee Ship" in 1729 and Johann Henrich Kolckglasser from Germany. The name has been spelled Kolklasier, Colglazer and Colclasure. The present spelling came into existence when members of the family came to Songer Township in 1828. In the 1790 census of Fredrick County, Maryland, a Daniel Colclazier is listed as the father of 14 children. In 1810 Abraham was listed and it is believed by many that he came to Songer. John and Jacob were sons of Abraham and came to Songer first. They were soon followed by their father according to the John Morris history of Clay County. They built cabins along the Louisville-Xenia trail. John Colclasure (1791-1853) married Rachel Galbraith and both are buried in the Colclasure Cemetery which is now known as Oak Mound Cemetery.
Susan was a daughter of Abraham and married William Lewis. Susan was born April 4, 1792 and died March 5, 1854. William was born October 10, 1784 and died November 11, 1844. They came to Xenia Township in 1818 and are the same family afore mentioned.
Jacob Colclasure (1795-1859) was also a son of Abraham and marred Mary (Polly) Trinkle (1798-1859). The Oak Mound Cemetery is now located on what was once Jacob's farm and one of their children was the first buried there in about 1830.
These were hard-working, hard-fighting pioneers and the inlaws kept pace. Bill Lewis once lost a fine team of black mares, a pair of silver mounted harness and a buggy to Mr. Samuel Slocum on the presidential election. Many of the second generation went away to the Civil War and many done their fighting at home. More on this can be found in the Songer Saga.
Robert Colclasure (1832-1864) married Adeline Tracey. Their children were: William, James, Wilford and Lafayette. They lived about 2 miles north of Xena on the Louisville Road.
The group called the Clay County Regulators was formed during this time [Civil War] of conflict and they attempted to clean up the country with moonlight court. Alexander was executed by hanging in 1864; Christopher Trinkle met a blaze of gunfire on a dark night in Xenia as he came from a store and fell dead before [p. 50] he could draw his revolver and may it be rememberd by the reader that many soldiers fell in that conflict who were not in uniform, both Union and Confederate. It was about this same time that Henry Trinkle and his wife Caroline Colclasure, fled the country by wagon at night and never returned. Henry had become a member of an organization at Xenia with honorable intentions bu had no desire for ambush type of warfare.
It was a cold winter night when the hoof beats sounded outside the door of the home of Robert Colclasure and several masked men beat on the door. Not wishing to draw fire into the house, Bob surrendered and was taken a short distance and executed with a revolver shot in the back of the head. The poor terrified wife, Adeline, summoned friends and family the next morning who were attracted by a hat which was hanging from a branch by the roadside and underneath was the remains of Robert Colclasure.
From that time forward the Regulators were referred to as "The Grimes Gang" and the honor formerly contributed to these secret groups faded away. A saloon keeper in Xenia by the name of "Cap" Dyer took the blame for being a "Regulator." About 40 people left Songer in the space of 2 years bu the Colclasure clan seemed to have stood their ground and for several years some folks walked a wide circle around the Colclasure boys.
The Colclasure family history reveals much information on the Spikers and Goldens who also inhabited Songer Township. Rachel Colclasure married Andrew Dennen who was killed when thrown from his horse. She later married Jake Spiker. John Spiker married [Nancy] Jane Colclasure. The Spiker Springs was located on the Spiker Place and this was a popular place for picnics and neighborhood gatherings. By 1800 [1900?] most of the shooting and fighting was over and there spread over the community a state of peace and tranquilty which was enjoyed by all. Jake Spiker's children were: Richard, John, William, Joseph, Clara, Harriet, Angeline and Otto. Taken from Songer Saga.
Page 65 - Xenia Township was divided into Xenia and Songer Townships respectively by the adoption of township organization in 1861. An act of the legislature again united them in 1867 until 1869 when they were again separated and remain so today. The township, so named for the old town of Xenia, contains 18 sections. The township is bounded on the north by Songer Township, on the east by Harter Township, on the south by Wayne County, and on the west by Marion County. It was once largely a timber region but today many acres are farmed. A main railway line runs east to west across the township, nearly parallel with the Old St. Louis Trail, one of the oldest roads in the state.
Principal drainage is by Brush Creek which enters at the northwest corner of Section 3, flows southwest exiting in the southwest corner of Section 13. Nicholas Creek is in the vicinity of the village of Xenia in Section 3 and exits the township through Section 17.
Xenia township had some of the earliest settlers to come here to Clay County. . . . William Lewis, a native of North Carolina, settled in 1818 and served as Justice of the Peace for some years. He left the township and went to Bible Grove Township in 1836.
Page 68 - The Clay County Republican, March 13, 1924 - Obituary:
John William Spiker, son of Rachel and Jacob Spiker ("Jacob and Rachel Colclasure, Spiker") was born May 20, 1865. Departed this life on February 29, 1924, age 58 years, 9 months and 9 days.
He was united in arriage to Annie Rose, March 10, 1887. ("Anna A. was the daughter of E.K. and Emma Gaw, Rose") To this union were born three daughters, Ora May and Edna Gay and another which departed this life in infancy. He leaves to mourn his departure, a wife, two daughters, two grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters and a host of relatives and neighbors. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father and an estimable neighbor. His many acts and cheerful smile will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Interment at Oak Mound Cemetery, which is in Songer Township.
Page 76 - The Flora Record, April 1, 1920 - Wedding
Friday night, at the home of the Methodist minister, Rev. Pressley, occurred a very quiet and surprising wedding. Issac [Isaac] Clinton Colclasure and Miss Mabel Kenley were the participating parties who very solemnly answered the question and said "I do" and happily started the journey over life's matrimonial sea. Mr. Colclasure is one of our bright young business men who at present is interested in the firm of Colclasure & Son and if nature proves true, has a bright future ahead of him. Miss Kenley was reared near Sailor Springs. She has taught school for two years at Xenia and while here has made a host of friends, who join in wishing them a bright future. It can be truthfully said that her parents have lost an obedient and faithful daughter and the school has lost one of its most efficient teachers. But as all things work for the best, we trust that such is the case with the young couple who have the good wishes of their friends.
Clay County Genealogical Society, Clay Roots, Spring, Louisville, IL: Clay County Genealogical Society, 1994.
Pages 1-2 - Marriage Records - Clay County Courthouse - Louisville, IL [condensed]
. . . please take notice that these books are no longer available to the public for handling and viewing. . .
- #1 1825-1845, 140 pages, if numbered correctly. List groom, bride, date of marriage and the person who married them. . . . Early Marriages of Clay County 1825-1877 available for purchase.
- "A" was lost or stolen years ago. The names and daes of marriages from this book and from book 1 are on file in the Central Illinois Abstract Company in Louisville. . . . see Early Marriages of Clay County 1825-1877.
- "B" from Feb. 3, 1858 to June 3, 1867 see Early Marriages.
- "C" October 16, 1867 to December 30, 1877 see Early Marriages
- "D" from June 27, 1874 to 1881. Last entry is September 27, 1941 - accidentally added to this book. Book in preparation to be published by Clay County Genealogical Society.
- "E" 1879-1886
- "F" 1886-1896
- "G" 1896-1905
- "H" 1905-1916
- "I" 1916-1929
- "J" 1929-1946
- "K" 1946-1959, etc.
Boxes containing marriage license start at 1893 and go to 1956. Fragile. Box 1 1893-1900 typed and proofread, available once indexing is completed. Have project to work through the rest of the boxes.
Page 3 - Dark Days in Clay County by Harley Bonham
A careful study of our Clay County History book will tell us that these "dark days" had their start in Blair Township, very near the year of 1840, with a heavy concentration of crime in Section 6, 7 and 18 - mostly on the west side of the Wabash River. If we read page 46, of the above mentioned history, we may start a careful observation of our shadowed history from the formation of the Clay County Regulators and the names of Daniel and Thomas Pugh, who did reside in the wilderness area along the river.
The writer mentions two kinds of citizens who took part in these night raids, #1 - "some of the best men in the county" and #2 "others of the rougher kind." He mentions he name of "Allec" Trinkle, who was in fact Alexander Trinkle from Xenia area. Trinkle was hanged as a horse thief, according to the author, and Robert Colclasure was shot to death. I think my curiosity in this subject had its start years ago, when I went to a site north-east of Xenia along the old Louisville road in the company of the late Frank Reynolds, in the N.E. corner of Section 34. "Here is where the body of Robert Colclasure was found," Frank said. "The spot was pointed out to me by my grandfather, years ago when I was very small. Bob lived up there on the hill in a log cabin and these hooded men came to the house on a cold night in the winter of 1864, dragged him from his house and brought him here. He was shot in the back of the head and his hat was hanged up on a tree branch, evidently so searchers would be able to find the body the next day."
Mr. Reynolds also told me that those little scrub oaks had not grown any larger, during his lifetime, on that very spot where the frozen body of Colclasure was found. And so they remain today, on a little barren spot barely 10 feet from the road whree even weeds refuse to grow under the little oaks. It seems that even nature seems to protect the events of that terrible night. On page 296 of our 1870 census book, we find the widow, Adeline, listed with her 4 children. Robert B. Colclasure and Frances Adeline Tracy had married on December 14, 1856. She was 24 years old when her husband was killed.
What sort of men were these self appointed vigilantes, who rode on dark nights to bring to "justice" law-breakers? As formerly stated, some were good and some were bad, but evidently all carried six-shot search warrants in their holsters, and even whips were used, because on page 46 of our history tells us about the young man that was whipped to death in south Bible Grove Township. . . . [p. 4] During this time about 150 differen men were supposed to have been "night riders, under the leadership of a certain man, named Grimes." Even the Colclasure Family History gives credence to him, and a certain Captain Dyer from the Songer Township area. . . . we may identify 3 of these "good Regulators." They are Matthew H. Davis, George W. Sturdivant and L.A. Tolliver . . .
. . . on Page 150, of Clay County History, we note that Sturdivant had served as Deputy Sheriff under Col. Henry Neff back in 1854 and was at that time 44 years of age. He was a farmer and had lived in Bible Grove Township since 1842. He had observed the growth of counterfeiting and general lawlessness for over 20 years, and now with the threat of Civil War at its zenith and adding to a persecuted community now, was the scourge of counterfeit money. . . .
Also in that group of men was 45 year old Matthew H. Davis, who had served as Deputy Sheriff and Constable for many years. He had lived in Clay county since 1834, having arrived with his father's family at the age of 15. At the time he owned and operated a 300 acre farm and was evidently on friendly erms with hard work as he worked the land near "Riffle."
We must not forget Mr. L.A. Tolliver, who was a certified "detective" and was registered with the American and European Secret Service. He was a resident of Blair Township and evidently was the same Lewis A. Tolliver that helped form Second Little Prairie Baptist Church in 1870. . . . From the information on this man on page 147, of our Clay History, I would take him to be a person not to be trifled with, in any way. He had served numerous times as a special police office in [p.5] addition to working his farm. He had a large family, he lived in the community and had a lot at stake. . . . .
But what about the terrible purge of the Regulators that was suppose to have occurred in Songer Township and the Xenia area one year later? William Stipp (1830-1923), who grew up in South Oskaloosa Township, always said that during that year about 40 differeent households packed up and left the Xenia area. His wife was Malinda Chasteen (1830-1920) who had grew up in Xenia area and should have had accurate informaiton. Mostly legendary tales and little documentation cover this area of time but perhaps our readers can add to what I have. The Colclasure manuscript places the blame on "Mr. Grimves" and a Saloon Keeper named "Cap Dyer."
It was Sunday night, August 27, 1865. The Songer Township war should have been over. . . . Christopher Trinkle was a farmer that lived north-east of the present site of Oak Mound Church, and on this night his life came to an end in a blaze of gunfire on a dark street in the little railroad Town of Xenia. Christopher Trinkle (1810-1865) had married Nancy Colclasure. The widow is listed on page 295 of the 1870 census. There were close connections between the Trinkle and Colclasure people. Jacob Colclasure (1795-1859) had married Mary (Polly) Trinkle (1798-1859) and the Oak Mound Cemetery is now located on what was once Jacob's farm. It was known then as the Colclasure cemetery. Christopher Trinkle was buried there and I once found parts of his shattered grave marker, but Robert Colclasure, who was executed over a year before, lies somewhere in an unmarked grave on the same grounds. The probate files in the Circui Clerk's office records that Trinkle's "Rotating" pistol was sold at public auction.
This Colclasure document, at the Clay Roots Library, indicates that Henry [p. 6] Trinkle who married Caroline Colclasure, fled during the night by wagon, with his family and never returned. It is stated that Henry had joined a certain "organization" at Xenia, with honorable intentions. All of this is supposed to have occurred durin ghte latter part of the Civil War years.
Alexander Trinkle (page 46 refers to him as "Alex") married Margaret Riley September 16, 1849, so we may gather fromt this dae that when he was hanged (possibly 1864) he was somewhat younger than Christopher Trinkle. The "death tree" is suppose to have stood until about 1937 when it was cut during the widening of the road along the south boundary of Section 28, Songer Township. THis is about one mile west of Xenia. . . .
Who was this Grimes, the so called leader of the Regulators? Was he Stephen Grimes, liste din the 1860 census of Oskaloosa Township? He was married, had a family and was 39 years old at the time. Was all this trouble in Songer caused by the political turmoil during the war? Page 46, of our History says that Trinkle was suspected of being a horse thief. . . . Was it 40 families who left the area, or 40 people?
At this late dae it is impoosible to tell the good guys from the bad ones. Once a troop of Federal soldiers were sent from the Post at Centralia in an attempt to keep the peace and a few citizens were shipped over to the Provost Marshall at Olney for questioning, but a copy of his report, which is in our library, contains no details to answer these questions. . . .
P.S. I suppose I should end with the story that was told to me by Eldon Colclasure. Remember, Eldon was living at Louisville in 1869 and helped Ernest Elliott and myself arrange for the reprinting of Clay County History. The story [p. 7] was told in the Colclasure family that when Mr. Grimes was on his death-bed, suffering from throat cancer, he sent for the brother of Robert Colclasure and wanted to tell him something. The brother went but Grimes was not able to speak so Colclasure never did know what the message was. Grimes was supposed to have lived near Riffle and that was where H.M. Davis lived, but as a researcher and historian I have learned that we can place no trust at all in undocumented legend. Davis is a documented Regulator and his actions in Blair Township are honorable compared to what happened compared to what happened in Songer Township. Who was Grimes?
Page 12 - Clay County Republican, January 12, 1933 - Marion Courtright Accidentally Shoots Self; In Hospital
Marion Courtright, 17 year old son of Mrs. Gladys [Fields] Courtright, was severely injured last Friday noon, when a shot-gun was discharged, the load mangling the left hand and passing through the muscle of the upper arm. Dr. B.F. Steely was called and gave first aid to the injured youth and rushed him to the hospital in Effingham where the hand was removed just above the wrist. It is hoped that the reaminder of the arm may be saved.
"Butter" as he is commonly called, in company with William Tolliver and Gale Johnson, neighbor boys had been on a hunting trip and when they reached town, "Butter" removed what he thought was all of the shells from the shot-gun, an automatic, and was nearly home in the north part of town, when he was demonstrating to the other boys just how the gun worked, placing his hand over the muzzle of the gun. he struck the stock on the side walk and the remaining shell discharged resulting in the accident which might have taken his life.
Page 35 - The Pulliams in Clay & Effingham Counties in Illinois by Jan Trulock Eardley
John Pulliam was born in Washington Co., IN on 20 Apr 1824. He was the son of Bland Ballard Pulliam (b: 1798-KY, d: 1853-IN) and Elizabeth B. Hardin (b: 1800, d:1847-IN). . . .
John Pulliam was my gr-gr-grandfather. He came to Clay County, IL, in the 1840s and married Jane Adeline Lewis on 15 Feb 1846. Jane Lewis (b: 1827-IL, d:1888-IL) was the only daughter of William Lewis, the famous Clay County pioneer who migrated from North Carolina through Floyd, Washington, and Orange Counties in Indiana to Clay County, IL, about 1818. Much has been written about William Lewis who married Susan [p. 36] Colclasure in 1816. They had seven sons as well as daughter Jane. It is my belief that John Pulliam knew the Lewis family in Washington Co., IN, and came to Clay County to be near friends.
John Pulliam was a farmer and a merchant. In 1872, he went into partnership with David Holloway to open a store in Mason, IL, in Effingham County, John owned land that spanned a corner of three counties: Clay, Effingham, and Jasper. He died on 31 Mar 1875, and John and Jane are buried in the cemetery at Headyville Christian Church in Jasper County.
Descendants of John & Jane Lewis Pulliam
1. William Bland Ballard Pulliam b. 1/26/1847 IL, d. 8/17/1904 IL md. 3/16/1892 Susan Lewis Price, both buried Headyville Cemetery
1a. Costin Pulliam
2. Wiley C.P. Pulliam, b. ca. 1849 IL, d. before 1860
3. James Lafayette "Lafe" Pulliam b. 2/29/1852 IL, d. 1/4/1946 IL md. 7/21/1878 Sarah Catherine "Cass" McCollum, Clay Co., both buried Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville, IL
3a. Maud Ann Pulliam md. Perley P. Beal
3b. Cora Jane "Coe" Pulliam md. George Sturdivant
3c. Hal James Pulliam (nee Hallie Lafayette) md. Erma Laura Smith d/o Peter & Rose (Shirk) Smith
3c1. Warren Smith Pulliam
3c2. Carol Louise Pulliam md. William Dale Trulock
3c2a. Linda Sue Trulock md. Donald G. Miller
3c2b. Jan Trulock md. Thomas W. Eardley
3d. Francis F. "Fred" Pulliam md. Maidie Wadsworth
3e. Howard George Pulliam md. Jessie Blair
3f. Dessie R. Pulliam md. 1) Ralph Hall, 2) Ernest East
3g. Adam Ray Pulliam, never married
4. Elizabeth Susan Pulliam b. ca. 1855 IL, d. CA, md. Frank Clark
5. John David "J.D." Pulliam, b. 2/14/1857 IL, d. 1/27/1937 md. 10/26/1879 Lillie E. Winterrowd, both buried Headyville Cemetery
5a. Maty Mae Pulliam md. 1) John Frank Gossman, 2) Arthur Osterdock
5b. Clemma Winterrowd Pulliam, d. young
5c. Avis Adeline Pulliam m. Olen A. Davis
5d. Perry Lee Pulliam md. Delcena "Della" Hackney
5d1. Marion Francis Pulliam md. Peggy Wood
5e. Dora Alma Pulliam md. John Milton Davis [p.37]
5f Harvy Artie Pulliam md. 1) Dessie May Fehrenbacher, 2) Oleda Phoeller
5g. Ernest Erastus Pulliam md. 1) Lora Fehrenbacher, 2) Agnes Keith
5h. Isia Everett Pulliam md. Daisy Alma Mahaney
5i. Nellie Esther Pulliam md. Clarence Flynn
5j. Tona "Tony" Harrell Pulliam md. 1) Agnes Ekart, 2) Bessie Orella Bowman Foote
6. Mary Ann "Molly" Pulliam b. ca. 1859 md. 8/20/1879 William W. Babbs
7. Marion Lewis Pulliam b. 1862, d. 1951 md. 1) Emily Parker, 2) Eldora Evans, 3) Sarah Ann "Anna" Rude Gillespie. Marion & Anna buried Headyville Cemetery.
7a. Nora Pulliam
7b. Jessie Pulliam
8. George Washington Pulliam b. 1/24/1864, d. 2/28/1943 md. 1) Rose / Rosa Kline, 2) Lucy Mock. George & Lucy buried Headyville Cemetery
8a. John Vetch or Vach Pulliam
8b. Evin Laurence Pulliam
8c. Rufus A. "Bob" Pulliam
8d. Russell Pulliam
9. Francis Columbus Pulliam b. 1/8/1867, d. 3/1/1962 md. 9/6/1888 Dora Wakefiled, both buried Headyville Cemetery
9a. Cassie Jane Pulliam md. Thomas Heady
9b. Howard Pulliam md. Harriet Bibghaus
9c. Troy Lovell Pulliam m. Lola Johnson
9d. Roscoe Jennings Pulliam md. Frieda Traub
9e. Clifford Pulliam md. Esther Johnson
Sources: The History of Clay County, IL; The History of Washington County, IN; Filson Club Quarterly; Headyville Cemetery records; Family bible records; Peggy Pulliam, Wanda Forste
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