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Lost in Shelby County

Finding your roots on paper is often easier than finding where great – grandma lived as a child. Yesterday's bustling frontier town may be a cornfield today.

Local newspapers from the early 1900's carried correspondence and obituaries about residents of Rockford. This not the same as the large and bustling city of Rockford in Winnebago County. At one time, there was a church and a school at Rockford. Today Rockford no longer exists save for a nearly forgotten cemetery down a two-mile lane off a country road.

Rockford should also not be confused with Rocky Branch. Nor should the town of Washington in Shelby County be confused with Washington in Woodford County.

Shelby County residents appeared to have known exactly where District 99 was located, and eager to know the comings and goings there. The same was true of Route 1. They and Route 6 residents' local gossip garnered their own newspaper columns such as "Route 6 Briefs."

In contrast to such lackluster monickers, the community of Little Flock was large enough for medicine shows to stop and peddle their wares. There was the Turn. Queen City is often used in reference to Shelbyville. There used to be a church in Buck's Castle. Tower Hill was once called Knobs.

Adding to the confusion, the mighty Kaskaskia River was flooded in the early 1970's. The result created Lake Shelbyville and caused the disappearance of many roads. Other roads now end in the lake. More than one cemetery was moved to Quigley Cemetery for preservation as the water rose.

As dirt roads were "dragged" and evolved into "hardroad" or "slab" they were often straightened, cutting off a community. Other settlements expanded until they merged into a single town or appeared because of the railroads – or in anticipation the railroad might come their way.

Adding to the confusion in Shelby County, Illinois, the mighty Kaskaskia River in Shelby and adjacent Moultrie counties was flooded in the early 1970's. The result created Lake Shelbyville and caused the disappearance of many roads. Other roads now end in the lake. More than one cemetery was moved for preservation as the water rose.

Tracing the history of settlements can simplify the search for ancestors in Shelby County. The deceased were typically buried in nearby cemeteries. If none existed, they were created and often on the family's property. Such cemeteries were named for the property owner or an early interment. Anyone searching for Anderson, Askins, Austin, Barker, Bateman, Bryson, Carpenter, Chafee, Cochran, Coons, Corley, Craig, Devore, Edwards, Eiler, Ellis, and dozens of other families would do well to match family names to cemetery names.

Centennial Farms can also be helpful in locating families. The Casner Farm, at the site of the original Cold Spring settlement, is one such Shelby County centennial farm.

A centennial farm is a property remaining active and in the same family for at least 100 years. The more than 7,200 centennial farms in Illinois are marked with a sign designating them as such by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

To qualify, the owner must provide a listing of ancestral owners and third – party verification of records proving lineal or collateral descent "as proven by a title searcher, such as an abstractor, an attorney or a recorder of deeds, can verify lineal descent." There is also a Sesquicentennial Farm program for farms over 150 years old.

There is not yet a single source for identifying all these locations and their changing names. It is not necessarily possible to visit – or even find – some of these communities today.

Back to the Beginning
Shelby County was not a vacant land prior to statehood. It was explored and settled long before it became a state. The land is located just north of the “Kaskaskia To Detroit Overland Trail,” according to a 1931 map from the Illinois Terminal Railroad System.

The Kaskaskia River was known as the Okaw by early French explorers and the Shelby County area was the Okaw Precinct. Some histories refer to them as the Kaskascy and the Okan or Olsaw.

There are a variety of unconfirmed explanations for the origin of Okaw. The earliest record is probably a Miami Indian named O – kaw – wause who signed the Tippecanoe Treaty of October 26, 1832.

Although the French apparently named the river the Okaw or the Kaskaskia, the native people called it the Raccoon River. Indian Place Names in Illinois, by Virgil J. Vogel, Pamphlet Series No. 4, the Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield IL 1963.

The native American influence continues in the name of some communities such as Oconee. This is a Muskoki (Creek) name found also in South Carolina and Georgia where it means "Great Big Water." It can also translate to "water course" or "small river" or even the Shawnee word for "bone." The village of Oconee exists yet today in Shelby County. Indian Place Names in Illinois, by Virgil J. Vogel, Pamphlet Series No. 4, the Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield IL 1963.

Opossum Creek – pronounced 'possum' creek – is named for North America's only marsupial animal. John Smith described this animal in his "Description of Virginia." The name originates with the Algonquian tribes of Maryland and Virginia. Opossum Creek has lent its name to one of the many Lake Shelbyville campgrounds, but has been in use from the time of the early explorers in this area.

Pickaway Township, in Shelby County, was likely named by settlers arriving from Ohio rather than by the Shawnee. Indian Place Names in Illinois, by Virgil J. Vogel, Pamphlet Series No. 4, the Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield IL 1963.Pickaway is a variant spelling of Piqua, said by one writer to be the Miami name of the Shawnee. The city of Piqua and county of Pickaway in Ohio was given by the Shawnee residence in that state. As European settlers entered the new western lands they often used names from familiar places back east.

Raccoon Creek exists on maps today and is locally known as a Lake Shelbyville Campground. The Algonquian tribe in Virginia called these creatures "hand scratchers." It is likely a Virginian explorer named this Shelby County creek.

1778 – Illinois ... or Virginia?
Researching places of residence in early Shelby County requires a little knowledge of history. By 1778, the land of the Illini tribes became Illinois County, Virginia. Statehood was over the horizon yet. Anyone who might have been in "Illinois" at that time, could conceivably be listed as a resident of the State of Virginia.

1784 – Illinois ... or Northwest Territory?
The lands were ceded in 1784 and became part of the Northwest Territory. In 1790, Illinois was split into two counties. Modern day Shelby County became part of the newly formed Knox County. Sometimes records will show locations such as "Illinois, N.T." meaning Illinois in the Northwest Territory. Any "Shelby County" residents would be listed in Knox County at that time. Although, there were precious few European residents prior to the early 1800's.

1801 – Illinois . . . or Indiana Territory?
Illinois became part of the Indiana Territory in 1801. Shelby County lands were then in St. Clair County, Illinois. Religious groups saw the newly forming settlements as prime areas to expand their influence, thus creating an intriguing history of pioneer settlements. Pastors arrived, churches were built, and cemeteries created wherever substantial clusters of settlers could support the religious community.

"From the time that the pacifying effects of Wayne's victory, at Fallen Timbers in 1794, over the Indians began to be felt, in the closing years of the eighteenth century, there was rapid settlement in the regional north and east of the original settlements in Illinois. No longer compelled to keep within easy reach of their block houses through fear of the savages, settlers now pushed out into the wilderness.  St. Clair County received many of these settlers into its uninhabited regions .... At the same time there was a movement upward along the valleys of Shoal Creek and the Kaskaskia River as far as Greenville, and Shelbyville." The History of the Southern Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church, by Joseph Calvin Evers, 1964, Southern Illinois Conference Historical Society, Nashville, TN: 1964. p 39

1812 – Illinois . . . but Not Yet a State
The Illinois Territory was created in 1812 and most of the state became Madison County. By 1815, the land we know as Shelby County became Edwards County.

Still not a state, Shelby County was enticing to eager sod – breakers. It is likely most settlers arrived by way of St. Louis, coming up the Kaskaskia River.

Guy Beck apparently arrived from Virginia by way of Kentucky in 1815. He settled on the border of the current Shelby and Fayette county line near a stream. In 1816, this Beck's property became part of Crawford County. As a result, Beck's property and Guy Beck Cemetery appear in Knox County, St. Clair County, Fayette County, Cumberland County, Clark County and Shelby County at various times.

According to historian Lewis Beck, a stream on the Beck property was renamed for Guy Beck sometime prior to 1823. It "empties into the Kaskaskia river on the west side. The lands between this creek and an easterly branch which rises in Township 10 N in rage 5 east are first rate, handsomely diversified with timber and prairie. On this stream are situated Beck's and Wakefield's settlements, each consisting of about 20 families." "A Gazetteer of the States of Illinois and Missouri ...." By Lewis C. Beck. Printed by Charles R and George Webster, Albany 1823.

A cemetery bearing Guy Beck's name is located on what is known locally as the Berner Farm, 2.25 miles east and one mile south of Herrick. The property now falls within the Fayette County jurisdiction but, because of changes in property lines over the years, is sometimes considered a Shelby County cemetery.

Reportedly, when Beck arrived there were friendly Kickapoo in the area, then known as St. Clair County, until after the Blackhawk War. The original Kickapoo name for Beck's Creek has been lost.

"At the Sunday services in the New Hope Baptist church two new members were received into full communion having been baptized in Beck's Creek on Saturday previous." Our Best Words Weekly 5/16/1891 p 5 c 4

1818 – Illinois Achieves Statehood
Illinois finally became a state in 1818 and it became home to Europeans who settled along a waterway they named Cold Spring, for obvious reasons. Eight European Wakefield and Hawkins families arrived by way of St. Clair County, on the east side of the Mississippi, from St. Louis to form the Cold Springs community.

The Vanwrinkle family (sometimes appears as Van Winkle), along with one of Wakefield's sons, created the Horsman Spring settlement. It is possible the Vanwrinkles arrived earlier, but were listed under Crawford County by a historian who ignored the boundary changes. Van Winkle and Kitchell families are listed as being in Crawford County by 1816, with Dan and Green Van Winkle arriving around 1810. The Van Winkle family appears alternately as Van Winckle, Van Wrinkle, and Vanwinkle.

The Crocker family settled on Mitchell's Creek. It is likely a settler named Mitchell arrived earlier than 1818 and renamed this creek.

The widow Petties/Pettis and her children settled between the Crocker homestead and the Cold Spring community. Eden Martin

This part of the county is drained by Beck's Creek and Mitchell's Creek along with Polecat Creek and Section Creek. Polecat is a term for skunk and the other two creeks inherited settler's names as the native population evacuated the area.

The Francisco family arrived from Alabama. Daniel Francisco had been at Fort Greenville, Illinois, in 1813, when that part of the state was Madison County. He settled on Robinson Creek in 1818.

The current day Todd's Point Township was home to the Robinson Creek Settlement located where Robinson's Creek joins up with the Kaskaskia River. Francisco was apparently the only European resident until a blacksmith, Jonathan C. Corley, settled here in 1823.

Francisco moved to Todd's Point Township where he built the Francisco Grist Mill on the Okaw River. There was a post office off and on between 1865 and 1903 when it was finally abandoned for good. These are good indications a number of people were settling in the area by then.

1819 Prairie Schools and Clark County
Shelby County was renamed Clark County in 1819. The name continued for two years. So be sure to search both counties when searching for information from 1819 to 1821.

The spring of 1819, Thomas Pugh arrived from North Carolina by way of Kentucky. He settled near Cold Spring. Later his property became known as the Milligan Farm.

Education was a priority on the prairie. In March, 1819, the state passed an act authorizing county commissioners to set aside section sixteen of each township in the state to pay for schools.

By law, Section 16 of every township was to be divided into lots ranging in size from 40 to 160 acres to be leased for ten years to create revenue to support schools. Given the ongoing boundary changes within the state, Section 16 might also change over time.

Settlement on those sections became a priority operating on the theory they would become more attractive to settlers if they were already somewhat developed. As those lands sold the property taxes would begin creating a budget for education. If no one settled on them, the property remained under the ownership of the land office and did not generate funds to support schools.

So, if you are looking for an early settler in the county, start with Section 16 of each township. Sometimes Section 16 was quickly sold as residential property in order to generate school taxes. Other times, it was targeted for commercial ventures in order to generate revenues.

People came to the frontier for a variety of reasons and religion was at the forefront. Sometimes the schoolhouse doubled as the church building.  The Shoal Creek Circuit (of itinerant preachers) consisted of Clinton, Bond, Fayette, Montgomery and Shelby Counties and was in existence as far back as 1819. History of Fayette County, Ill. Brink and McDonough & Co: Philadelphia 1878

Preaching was often done in people's homes. But where it did occur it can be assumed there were pockets of settlers large enough to warrant holding service – and providing the preacher with at least a little financial support and perhaps an alternative to scrambling for a dry bed and a warm meal.

1821 Shelby County . . . or Fayette County?
In 1821, the state was divided again and this area became part of Fayette County. The first school building in Shelby County was built in 1821 near the Horsman Spring settlement. Simple logic would indicate there were families with children here, those children learned to read and the community could financially support a full – time school teacher.

In the mid – 1820's the Whitley Creek settlement, in Ash Grove Township, came into being. Today the area is a campground and recreation area bearing the Whitley Creek name.

"The deer were the principal game; however, bears were seen in (Ash Grove) township as late as 1833, and panthers for several years later. Along the streams was a favorite hunting – ground for the Indian, and as late as 1827 Indian camps still remained. In the winter of 1826 and 1827 the Indians had quite a large camp, of ninety or one hundred lodges, on the west side of the west four mile branch, on what is now the William M. Wilson place. The Indians camped here were a part of three tribes, the Kickapoos, Pottawatomies and Delawares, under a chief by the name of Turkey. These Indians were very friendly, and considered honest by the early settlers. This camp was a lively place, particularly on Sunday, made more so by the presence of a great many white people, who would come from the settlements for miles around to spend the day. The camp was kept lively by horse – racing, shooting, foot – racing, jumping and trying their muscle in various ways. In the spring of 1827 the Indians left their hunting – grounds in this part of the country, and were not seen any more here after the year 1828." http://www.edenmartin.com/counties/ashgrove.htm

1825
The Methodists were among the first religious groups to arrive and 1825 saw growth spurt. The church had quickly split up these western lands into sections.

Joseph Foulks, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a preacher at Cold Spring prior to 1825. Cold Spring was, at that time, on the Shoal Creek Circuit. Eden Martin

Ash Grove Township came into being in 1825 when Samuel Little and Robert Duncan arrived. Higginson The Wilson family is also associated with Ash Grove.

In 1825, David Elliott settled in what is currently known as Richland Creek. The area became known as the Richland Creek Settlement. According to Ed Boedecker, "Richland cemetery is located in Sec 22 Richland Township approximately two miles north and 3/4 mi west of Strasburg. The old Richland Church stood across the road south from the cemetery. A hog house now stands on the church site. The church was built about 1867 on land purchased from Lorenzo and Cynthia Turner, for the purpose of erecting an interdenominational church. L H and Cynthia Turner are buried at the Ash Grove cemetery." Shelby Co Inscrip Vol IV p 67 The Weeger, Weatherspoon, Daniel, Fancher, Renshaw and Turner families have called Richland home.

1826
Cochran's Grove, located in Ash Grove Township, came into being in 1826.

"There is considerable timber along these streams. Among the larger bodies is Cochran's Grove; it contains fully Three Thousand acres at the head waters of the West Fork of Little Wabash; a part of the Grove is in Richland township, and ... was named in honor of John Cochran, one of the early settlers." http://www.edenmartin.com/counties/ashgrove.htm

Cochran's Grove post office served the area sporadically from 1831 through 1856, when mail service was transferred to Windsor. The Cochran, Frazer, Templeton, Storm, Bolin, Green, Dixon, and Rankin surnames are associated with Cochran's Grove. Higginson

1827 – Shelby County is Created   --  But includes Christian and Moultrie Counties
The name Shelby County came into use in 1827 and included part of Christian County and Moultrie County. But as we can see, that is not the earliest time anyone lived in what we now call Shelby County.

For more than a decade, European settlers had been turning the sod and creating communities that may appear in histories of the numerous counties these lands have been associated with over the years.

Shelbyville, the largest community in Shelby County, was settled about the same time as the creation of the county. The Shelbyville post office opened in December of 1827 and over the years served Brunswick, Clarksburg, Duvall, Fairground, Henton, Middlesworth, Moulton, and Robin.

In 1827, a post office opened in the decade – old Wakefield settlement and delivered to Dry Point residents until the end of 1831. The 1836 "New Map of Illinois with Its Proposed Canals, Roads & Distances From Place to Place Along the Stage & Steam Boat Routes" (published by H. W. Tanner, Philadelphia), shows Wakefield (no longer called Wakefield Settlement) and Shelbyville as the only two communities in Shelby County.

John Rose settled at Sand Creek in Windsor Township, eight miles northeast of Windsor, in 1827. Sand Creek is a nearby tributary of the Kaskaskia River. All that remains of the Sand Creek settlement is the abandoned red brick church and the Sand Creek Cemetery in Section 22 of Windsor Township. The Rose name can be found on tombstones in the Sand Creek Cemetery.

The Sand Creek Church had a somewhat uneventful history until 1904 when the church divided over appropriateness of worship, in a gross simplification of the matter. The Supreme Court eventually had to settle the matter. Sand Creek postal service did not exist until 1851 to 1856. Shelby Co Inscrip Vol II p 111

There was a Big Spring Settlement post office from 1827 until 1885 under one name or another. B. Fancher settled east of the village of Fancher on Drake's Creek. The creek was probably named for the Drake family who spent a short time in Shelby County before moving on.

Fancher's original Big Spring/Drake's Creek Settlement was eventually the home of John Spain. It was located in Section 20 of Big Spring Township.

By 1832, Mr. Fancher moved to the site of the modern day village bearing his name. Big Spring Township remains, but the village of the same name has vanished.

1828
Robert Templeton arrived in Section 4 of Ash Grove Township in 1828. This North Carolina native settled between two small tributaries of the East Fork of the Little Wabash River. The two streams were called Four Mile Creeks and the area became known as Four Mile Grove.

Daniel Terrentine – sometimes spelled as Turrentine – arrived at Sand Creek in 1828. Shelby Co Inscrip Vol II p 111

John O. Prentis opened a store at Cold Spring in 1828, in the cabin he bought from Simeon Wakefield who then returned to St. Clair County. Prentis opened a post office the same year.

Census figures show by 1880 half the Cold Spring Township residents were born – or believed by the census taker to have been born – in Shelby County. These surnames include Corley, Henderson, Hornbeck, McClannahan, Wakefield, Mitchell and Rowdybush. Nearly as many had arrived specifically from Ohio including the Hornbeck, McMahon, Morrison, Reed and Tressler families all settling primarily in Section 23 and Section 34 of Cold Spring Township.

Bannings began migrating to this area at this time. Jeremiah Banning arrived from Virginia in 1828 and settled on Section 35 Range 10 of Dry Point Township, about 12 miles south of Shelbyville. His daughter, Mary E. Banning, was the first child born in the settlement.

"The Indians had just vacated their wigwams, which were on a lake, on what is now the Ferrell place, and taken their departure from happy hunting grounds before the approach of the pale face." Eden Martin p 289

Alexander Banning entered land four years later, followed by Clark M. Banning. It was not until 1860 that W. Jackson Banning opened the first post office in Dry Point. Over the years, the community's name has been changed to Hart and to Thompson's Mill. The only thing remaining of this settlement is the Thompson's Mill covered bridge, east of Cowden. http://www.edenmartin.com/counties/ashgrove.htm

1829
The Cochran Cemetery in Section 7 of Ash Grove Township is the final resting place of one of the first people to die in Shelby County. Anna Templeton was buried here in 1829. Cochran, Sexson and Storm family members rest beside her.

The same year, the Craig Cemetery was started when the eleven month old son of J. B. and M. Howard died in January. This cemetery is in Section 28 of Ridge Township. Killam, Milligan, Small Calvert, Lower and Smith families joined the Howard family over the years.

Daniel Agles, started a Flat Branch settlement in 1829 or 1830.

1830
About 1830 or 1831, Burrell Massey settled one of the numerous "knobs" in Tower Hill Township, lending his name to Massey's Knobs in Section 3.

About 1830, Rev. James Beck settled on Section Creek in Cold Spring Township. "The Methodist Church on Section 26, known as the Ridge Camp ground, was one of the early church edifices erected in the township. Camp meeting was held here for many years in the early times. Here frequently officiated the venerable Peter Cartwright, the pioneer of Methodism in Illinois." 1881 Combined Hist of Shelby & Moultrie Counties, Brink & McDonough, reprinted by SCHGS p 217

Brush Creek became home to Jesse A. Walker when he arrived from North Carolina. He moved on to Kentucky but at least two of his children remained in Shelby County. There was a post office in Brush Creek, near Shumway, but there is little existing information.

1831
Tennessee native William Ellis arrived in 1831.

"William Elis (Ellis), a native of Tennessee, made an improvement on section 3 in 1830, where his son, C. R. Elis (Ellis), now lives. In about 1831 William Elis (Ellis) had the misfortune to have three of his sons killed by lightning. At the time they were killed they were traveling across the prairie on a trail a foot, and when found by a cousin, John N. Carry, they were lying in the path about ten feet apart. They were single young men, and were the first persons buried in the Elis (Ellis) cemetery. All of them were placed in one grave, and a little log house built over the mound, which has long since rotted down, and nothing now marks the spot." Eden Martin

The Ellis Cemetery is located east of Windsor, on Section 3 of Ash Grove Township. Barbara Thomas Boedecker identifies the property as the Melvin Venters farm.

Meanwhile, Bushrod W. Henry was organizing the First Baptist Church of Christ in Shelbyville. Doctrinal differences in 1834 led to a split. "The Disciples of Christ: A History" called it a "conversion of the Baptist congregation in 1834. The Disciples of Christ: A History" by Winfred Ernest Garrison and Alfred T. DeGroot, Christian Board of Publication, St. Louis, Missouri 1948.

The Disciples history claims Reuben and Martha Wright, Mrs. Enfield Tacket, J. J. Page, J. Fred Miller, Wm. Chew, W. F. Turney and J. W. Loyd, J. D. Miller, W. C. Kelly and Mrs. Polly Smith were among the early members.

Some of the pastors who have served the church were N. S. Bastian, Dr. A. L. Kellar, Theo. Brooks, J. G. Waggoner, and now W. G. McColley. It gave O. P. Wright to the ministry.

1832
Settlers five miles east of Shelbyville received mail from the Locust Grove post office 1832 until 1838.

Mail delivery from the Cold Spring post office was sporadic until the Cold Spring post office was abandoned in 1881. The Lakewood post office served the area for the remainder of its existence.

Besides the Wakefield family, Cold Spring was home to the Crocker, Hawkins, Horseman, Mills, Petties, Pugh, Smith, Vanwinckle and Corley families. Higginson

The latter family gave Corley's Ridge its name. Corley's Ridge is southwest of Williamsburg Hill in Cold Spring Section 34.

According to local historian, Ed Boedecker, Cold Spring Township is home to the oldest cemetery in Shelby County. "Ridge cemetery is located Sec 24 Cold Spring Township on top of Williamsburg Hill, just east of the microwave tower." Shelby Co Inscrip Vol I p 76 and Shelby Co Inscrip Vol III p 103

Jackson Storm organized the Ash Grove (Windsor) (Disciples of Christ) in 1832, known locally as the Cochran's Grove Church. According to Nathaniel Haynes, the thirteen charter members were: John Storm, Sr., and wife, Wm. Duggar and wife, Wm. Bennett and wife, Daniel Green and wife, John Storm, Jr., and wife, Joseph Dickerson and wife, and Stella Good. Nathaniel S. Haynes, History of the Disciples in Illinois 1819 – 1914, pages 385 – 393. This online edition 1997, James L. McMillan

1833
Transportation in Cold Spring improved in 1833 with the construction of the Shelbyville and Danville Road. 1881 Combined Hist of Shelby & Moultrie Counties, Brink & McDonough, reprinted by SCHGS p 210

Cold Spring Church (also called Beck's Creek Church in early days), was organized in 1833 or earlier, and was a member of the Kaskaskia Association throughout most of its existence. The names of the charter members and of the presbytery have been lost, but the Beck family seems to have been prominent in this church throughout most of its history.

Some of the ministers who were members of this church were Elders John K. Beer, Miles H. Abbott, James Beck, and Z. S. Price. Cold Spring Church was described as being located in Shelby County in the Kaskaskia Association minutes of 1852. In later years (date unknown), the church apparently built a frame meeting house, near Hanson. 1881 Combined Hist of Shelby & Moultrie Counties, Brink & McDonough, reprinted by SCHGS p 217, Church and Family History Research Assistance for Fayette County, Illinois http://www.carthage.lib.il.us/community/churches/primbap/FamHist – Fayette.html

But remote areas existed and family graveyards appeared. The Austin family began burying on their property in Section 6 of Shelbyville Township as early as 1833.

When five month old Leah Sexson died in 1833, ground was broken for the Cochran Cemetery. She was the first of five Sexson children buried here. Located in Ash Grove Township Section 7, the Cochran family did bury 92 year old John Cochran here in 1853. Rankins, Storm, Templeton and Abercrombie families are also buried here.

Flat Branch was undergoing big changes in 1833. The first schoolhouse in Flat Branch was erected in 1833 in Section 12. The Tolly family settled in Flat Branch at this time. On Section 12, the Baptist congregation built a church known as the Union Predestinarian Baptist Church, not to be confused with the Union church south of Mode. This church is six miles southeast of Moweaqua.

Members of the church were reportedly buried in the nearby Tolly Cemetery. Here you will find Abbett, Armstrong, Cochran, Denton, Goodwin, Gorden/Gordon and, of course, Tolly surnames appear here.

The Gordon family settled about half a mile above the mouth of Gordon Creek, on the north side, in 1833. They stayed only a short time but left behind their name. Eden Martin

The Gordons lived in this part of Flat Branch township only a few years. They buried a child near their cabin in a lonely grave on the bank of the creek. That was the second person buried in the township.

In Feb. 1833, Orville Robertson located on section 15, on Section Creek, on what became known locally as the John Adams place. Robertson opened a store in Williamsburg. Eden Martin

The Snyder – Traughber Cemetery, also known as the Snyder Cemetery or the Traughber Cemetery, began in 1833 when 67 year old Jacob Traughber passed way. Rosenberger, Schwab, Stombaugh, Widick and a number of other families are buried here north of Moweaqua in Section 12 of Moweaqua Township.

Following the Shelby Township death of Mrs. Alementer Whitfield in 1833, the Austin Cemetery in Section 6 became the final resting place for some of the early settlers. Thomas Pugh, one of the first settlers to arrive, is buried here along with Whitfield, Rhodes, Dutton, and Austin families.

1834
John Storm organized the Sand Creek Church in 1834. At that time, Benjamin Weeks and wife, Joseph Baker, wife and son, Ashley Baker and wife, Louis Ledbetter and wife, Sarah Bougher and Rachel Wallace. Over the next fifty years, as many as 1,500 people joined this church. Of those members, Isaac Miller, Nathan Rice, P. P. Warren, A. A. Loomis, and L. P. Phillips entered the ministry.

In the Sand Creek log chapel, in 1850, a missionary cooperation, including Shelby, Moultrie and Macon Counties, was formed.

The "Illinois State Missionary Society" was formed in Shelbyville in 1850. It was in response to a request by Barton W. Stone in 1834 to unite evangelism efforts. "The Disciples of Christ: A History"

"Peace and prosperity continued till 1889, when Min. Daniel Sommer came and began an aggressive opposition to the use of instrumental music in public worship and other "innovations." This church had never used an organ and had no thought of introducing one until the preaching of Mr. Sommer created a desire and a demand for its introduction.

This led to a division in 1904 and to a suit at law for the property. This was decided by the State Supreme Court at the October term, 1905, in favor of the conservatives, they being the majority. It was here the disloyal "Address and Declaration" was issued in 1889 (see Chap. VIII.). By that act this church wrote "Ichabod" in large letters upon its record. The Disciples of Christ: A History

1835
Todd's Point was settled in 1835 by William Todd. More than two decades passed before the Todd's Point post office opened in 1856 with John Turner serving as postmaster.

That year also saw the creation of the Bruce Cemetery on Section 22 in Windsor Township about one mile west and a quarter mile north of the Sand Creek Church and Cemetery. L. W. Tarrentine (probably Turrentine), age 11 months, was buried here in 1835. Tull, Turrentine, Weeks and, of course, Bruce families were buried here until 1879.

Todd's Point Section 14 is also the site of the Johnson Cemetery. There are several Johnson's buried here along with John and Elisabeth Smith. The oldest grave is that of 47 year old Samuel Walker who died in 1835. This property is on what is known as the Edd Mitchell farm.

1836
J. M. Davis settled on Section 17 of Pickaway Township in 1836, naming the area Davis Grove. At this time, nearly two decades after white settlers arrived, there were still panthers in the area. There were bears in this part of the county until 1838. Locally, Davis Grove is known as being near the Nathan Corley farm.

1837
There are two Middlesworth Cemeteries in Shelby County. In 1837, nine day old Emeline Hanson became the first to be buried in this Tower Hill Township (section 10) cemetery. It is known locally as the T. C. Dove farm, although there are no Dove's buried here. Armstrong, Seitz, Sharrock, and Coffee families are buried alongside the Middlesworth family.

"About 1837, Min. B. W. Henry organized a (Disciples of Christ) congregation near his home on the west side of Okaw Township. Two or three years later a log house was built for the double purpose of school and church, and was so occupied for about twenty years. Among the pioneer preachers who worked there were B. W. Henry, Tobias Grider, Fleming, Goodman, Storm, Mulkey, and Sconce. In the early fifties it was active in cooperative missionary work. The changing tides of human life later on carried it away." Nathaniel S. Haynes, History of the Disciples in Illinois 1819 – 1914, pages 385 – 393. This online edition 1997, James L. McMillan

1838
Not one of the prettier names in the county, Mud Run became the name of a school and cemetery in Dry Point Township near Herrick. The cemetery has existed since 1838. Shelby Co Inscrip Vol III p 51

Union was formerly known as the Williams Graveyard, since the area was set aside for burying purposes by landowner, John B. Williams, who purchased 160 acres on Nov. 1, 1838. The Union Church and Cemetery were located in Section 24 of Clarksburg Township, northeast of Mode.

Eventually a church which stood here was, by some accounts, called the Christian Union Church. The foundation of stone was laid in 1872 and dedicated July 20, 1873, by Jasper L. Douthit, pastor of the First Congregational Universalist Church of Shelbyville, and Elder John Ellis, famous member of the Yale Band and founder of Illinois College. Today the church is gone, replaced by a stone marker. It is known locally as simply the Union. Burials do continue

There is an unrelated Union Cemetery located in Section 13 of Pickaway Township.

The population of Oconee at this time was enough to support the first log schoolhouse in the area.

1839
In 1839, the Christian County lands were carved out and became a separate entity from Shelby County. Shelbyville was incorporated that year. Higginson This means, of course, there were people living in current day Shelbyville prior to 1839 who would have been listed as living in the county rather than in Shelbyville – since it didn't exist yet.

The Horsman Settlement was laid out as Williamsburg in 1839 and is sometimes spelled "Williamsburgh."

"The village of Williamsburg was laid out in 1839 by Dr. Thomas H. Williams and William Horsman. It was nestled on the south slope of the hill which now bears its name. Formerly called Cold Spring, the small but bustling community at one time consisted of four blocks. The Methodist Church, which now is located at Lakewood, was originally constructed at Williamsburg. There was a doctor's office, store, tavern, post office, blacksmith shop and several residences. The death knell of Williamsburg was sounded when the railroad bypassed it and went through Lakewood instead. Gradually, over the years, people moved away, the buildings fell into disuse and the village disappeared. The corner of Washington and Main St. now is surrounded by a pasture and field." Shelby Co Inscrip Vol III p 103

"Dr. Williams also had a store at this place.... Orville Robertson carries on a general store here, and is postmaster. Dr. Thomas J. Fritts administers to the sick in this locality. J. W. Torbutt is the blacksmith of the village, and J. F. Dunaway is a carpenter and builder. The Methodist denomination and the Masonic lodge have built here a commodious two story building. The lower story is used for church purposes, and the second story as a Masonic hall. The Williamsburg Masonic Loge, No. 513, was instituted July 26, 1866. 1881 Combined Hist of Shelby & Moultrie Counties, Brink & McDonough, reprinted by SCHGS p 217

In 1839, Selby Chapel was formed near Cold Spring/Williamsburg, probably on John Selby's land. Members included the Hardy, Imnan, Boy, Selby, and Moyer families. The Shelbyville area mail was processed by John Cutler at his store from 1839 through 1842. After more than a year, he reestablished a post office that lasted for another two years.

At the time, the church perhaps enjoyed as much perceived power as the municipal powers of the early frontier. "By 1839, the Methodist Church was entrenched in Shelby County.  July 2, 1839, the Methodist committee held a trial charging A. G. Meacham, a lay preacher, with immoral conduct.

"In 1836, A. G. Meacham was admitted on trial by the Illinois annual conference, and two years later he was admitted into full connection. Meacham was a doctor as well as a preacher. In May, 1839, William Nichols brought charges against him of immoral conduct. The specification read Meacham had made two attempts to go to bed with Malinda Nichols, daughter of the accuser. The testimony in the trial before the quarterly conference illustrates the great care with which the trials were conducted. The committee of the quarterly conference suspended Meachem. The accused then wrote to the Illinois annual conference, charging himself with immorality and high imprudence. 1. Record of trial of A. G. Meacham before the committee of the quarterly conference at Shelbyville, Illinois, 1938. On the 2nd day of July A. D. 1839 – A committee consisting of Jesse Haile, Wm. W. Mitchell and Barton Randle, traveling ministers, on the Lebanon District, Ill. Conference, call by Revd John Dew P. E., met in Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Ill. to hear and consider the following charge of Immorality preferred against A. G. Meacham. .... ten pages of trial testimony..... mentions Amos Prentice and R. B. Ewing members of the church serving as witnesses; names Jacob Brewer and N. R. Jones members of the church as defense; mentions Owen Prentice as defense but not a church member. Victim, Malinda Nichols, was the daughter of William and Peninah Nichols. Witness Sarah Inman, Betsy Nichols, Thomas Hardy, Bro. Swaford, Maria Prentice, Elisabety Sawyer (Wabash Grove), Malinda (Williams) Radly of Wabash Grove Evers p 102

1840
Dead Man's Grove was named, aptly, for a dead man found in that area about 1840 on Section 8 of Prairie Township on the banks of Wolf Creek.

By 1840, the Vandalia District of the Southern Illinois Methodist Conference was created due to increased settlements in the area. "the Vandalia District received Vandalia, Okaw, Big Creek, and Shelbyville from the Lebanon District. A new circuit, Paradise, was formed in the eastern part of the Shelbyville Circuit." Evers p 102

Robert Abercrombie built the first church in Ash Grove in 1840 which has enjoyed a long presence in Shelby County. The Storm Brothers built a second church in 1856. A third church was built in 1887 by I H Gilpin and S G Tull and remodeled in 1929 or 1930. A new organ was given to the church by George W. Frazier on Nov. 25, 1951. On April 11, 1967 the church burned down. In 1968 a new church was built and dedicated on June 1, 1969. Ash Grove Cemetery is adjacent. There was also an Ash Grove School and an Ash Grove Town Hall.

Section 24 of Big Spring Township became home to John Young in 1840. He settled on Copperas Creek, a tributary of the Wabash River. The Copperas name was probably brought to the area by settlers from Ohio, where another Copperas Creek is located. By 1849 Young had set aside part of his property for a cemetery known as the Copperas or Young cemetery. There was a Copperas Creek Church and Copperas Creek Schoolhouse at one time.

Copperas Creek is sometimes erroneously recorded as Cooperas Creek.

About 1840 a log chapel was built in the northeast corner of Windsor Township. It had two chimneys and a dirt floor. Ministers Grider, Henry, Storm, Fleming and Goodman preached there. The resident members formed part of the Sand Creek Church until 1871, when a separate congregation, called Wolf Creek (Disciples of Christ ), was formed.

The log house had then disappeared, for meetings were held in the Dodson and Baker Schoolhouses until 1874, when a chapel was built. The name was then changed to New Liberty (Windsor) Disciples of Christ. It gave Jesse Baugher to the ministry. About 1880, under the lead of P. P. Warren, it became ultra – conservative.

Settlers in Rural Township established the Armstrong Cemetery in Section 26, west of Henton, in 1840 when an infant son died. The Armstrong family shares this cemetery with Wooton, McCall, McIntire, Milligan, and Poston families. Armstrong Cemetery is located in Sec 26 Rural Township about 2 miles west and ¼ mile south of Henton near Mud Creek. The Armstrong family appeared to have started this family cemetery around 1840 with the death of an infant. Of the 37 stones in this cemetery, 11 mark graves of unnamed infants.

1841
During 1841, the Sangamo Journal mentions the Shelby County community of Salt Creek in the 7/23/1841 edition. This could be an error, with Sand Creek being the true subject. Salt Creek, as a settlement, does not appear elsewhere.

For seven months, from April of 1841 to November of that year, there was a post office at Lenoirs. Nothing else appears to be known about this community.

The village of Tyler, in Windsor Township, enjoyed a post office for one year, from February of 1841 to February of 1842. When the Windsor Lodge No. 322, A. F. & A. M., organized in 1859, Thomas Gilpin and E. D. Tull each gave Tyler as their addresses.

1844
Peter Fleming arrived in 1844 and settled on 40 acres near Fancher. He set aside part of that property for the Mt. Carmel Church and Cemetery. The church was razed a number of years ago but the cemetery remains. Shelby Co Inscrip Vol II p 99

1845
By 1845, the Henderson Cemetery in Todds Point Section 15 was receiving the deceased. Here you'll find Enoch, Hebblethwaite, Dazey, Birkett, Staley, and a large number of the Roney family.

1846
Located south of the Shellenbarger Bridge, the Carpenter Cemetery was moved by the Corps. of Engineers when Lake Shelbyville was created. The only remaining gravestone, which was moved to Quigley Cemetery, was that of Israel Carpenter who died in 1846.

The Moberly family buried the first of three family members in the Moberly Cemetery in Section 26 of Windsor Township. The John Moberly farm is the final resting place of Hannah, who died in 1846. Four years later her three year old brother was laid to rest beside her. Three years later their 20 year old sister joined them.

1847
The Howe Cemetery was created in Clarksburg Township Section 17 in 1847 when Phebe Bonecutter died. The property has become known as the Edith Pease farm. Numerous Howe and Philips family members are buried in the Howe cemetery.

A decade after the first Middlesworth Cemetery was established in Shelby County, a second one with the same name was created in Richland Township Section 5. Abraham Middlesworth, age 64, was buried here in 1847. Also buried here are Harrmann, Bartlett and Dietz family members.

1848
The long – lost but beautifully named Luticia, Illinois, was home to the Luticia post office from June of 1848 until the middle of September 1849.

Washburn Wade laid out the village of Westminster on part of his farm in NW Sec 33 in 1848. "The town was first called Manyawper, and so recorded on the records, and afterwards changed. William Collins built the first house and opened a general store. The second business house was erected by Everard Sharrock, who also brought on a general stock of goods. Sharrock afterwards sold out to his son, John Sharrock. A blacksmith shop was carried on by John Mattox, and four or five re sidences were erected here. The post – office received mail twice a week as the village was on the direct route between Shelbyville and Hillsboro, and gave promise of becoming a town of some importance. The construction of the Indianapolis and St. Louis railroad proved a deathblow to the prosperity of the town; as Tower Hill was laid out on the line of this road, within three miles of Westminster, the place was disbanded, and all the buildings but two removed. Eden Martin

The Corley family began their cemetery in the mid – 1840's. Forty years after the Corley family arrived in Shelby County, they created the Corley Cemetery in Cold Spring Township in Section 34. Spurgin, Miliken/Milliken/Millikin, Mears, and Rhodes families are also buried here. The property is known locally as the George Hubbart farm. Boedecker cites the cemetery as being on top of the Corley Ridge, southwest of Williamsburg Hill.

1849
It would be all to easy to assume Drake's Creek was named for ducks east of Stewardson. But the creek and nearby settlement were actually named for postmaster James Drake who settled there prior to July of 1849. A year later, Drake's Creek was changed to Big Spring.

A post office was established in Westminster, in Tower Hill Township, in 1849. In 1857, Westminster mail was consolidated with Tower Hill post office. There was also a post office established in Woodlawn in August of 1849. There were enough postal patrons in the area to warrant keeping the office open until March of 1852.

1850
Big Spring Township was clearly in a period of growth. In 1850, the Green Creek Disciples of Christ congregation formed in Big Spring Township.

The same denomination was organized by Bushrod W. Henry as the Prairie Bird Disciples of Christ Church.

Prairie Bird appeared as one of the larger communities on an 1875 Atlas of Illinois Counties of Macon, Christian, Shelby & Moultrie. Prairie Bird Presbyterian Church and the village of the same name was established here in 1850, although the first settler on Section 19 of Ridge Township was Thomas Brownlee in 1839. By the time Brownlee moved on, the local parishioners who formed the Prairie Bird Church represented the Warner, Walker, Armstrong, Fulton, McMorris, Kelley, Waggoner, and Smith families.

There were twenty – five charter members. At one tim,e it had a congregation with 127 members. Eventually Prairie Bird was renamed Henton when the railroad came through. Church lay leaders included Lindsay McMorris, Chatter Kelly, Elijah Waggoner, J. T. and W. M. Smith.

The fairly large West New Hope Cemetery, south of Tower Hill, is associated with a number of families since a baby, Julia Hobson, was buried here in 1850. Sphar, Morrison, Gatons, and Niles are among the surnames here, across the road from the West New Hope Church.

Ephraim Doyle was laid to rest in the Hamilton Family Cemetery in 1850. Only one record of the Hamilton family appears in this Herrick Township Cemetery and it is not the earliest recorded burial here. Newlin and Griffin names also appear on stones here, in Oconee Township Section 13.

The Rocky Branch congregation, near Tower Hill, was organized by Bushrod Henry. Meetings were held in Rose Township by Ministers Henry, M. R. Chew and Edward Evy about this date in residences, in Black Log Schoolhouse and in a grove. One of these, conducted by Mr. Henry, resulted in fifty conversions. The consequent congregation passed through many experiences, prosperous and adverse. Many times all efforts ceased. A neat chapel was built. Now no meetings of any kind are held.

1851
The first, and only post – office in Flat Branch was established in 1851, at the store of Captain A. C. Campbell, on section 4. He was also postmaster for about two years. Mail was then delivered through the Moawequa post office.

The Baptist church, situated on section 24, is called Little Flock church. A Presbyterian church stands on the south west corner of section 26. Each were built around 1851.

By 1851, the Coal Creek Cemetery was in use. It also known as the Conner Cemetery and several Conner family members are laid to rest here. There are also Hamilton, Hampton, Halbrook, Sisk, Butler, Upena, Laffoon, Pryce and Mount families represented. Coal Creek is four miles southeast of Pana near Oconee.

The Hodson Cemetery, in Lakewood Township, is located on what is known as the Jessie Moore farm, just north of the Mitchell Creek Bridge. Angeline Wakefield and her infant son were buried here in September of 1851. Several members of the Perryman family have been laid to rest here as well.

1852
Although Oconee was created in the late 1830's, burials in the Clark Cemetery in Oconee Township did not begin until the mid – 1850s. This cemetery in section 9 of Oconee Township, south of the village of Oconee, is represented by Luckey, Baumgardner, Roberts, Luneach, Pugsley, Beck and Beckett and the Clark families.

One of two Hudson Cemeteries was established in 1852. This Hudson Cemetery is located in Shelbyville Township and is the final resting place of numerous members of the Hudson family along with Hill, Rambo, Miller, Donelson, and Tull families.

When Mary E. Hidden died in 1852 she was buried in Section 34 of Okaw Township. The Kaskaskia River flows a mere 200 feet or so below and may have washed away some of the graves. The stones are all long gone. Locals report there may have been as many as a dozen graves at one time. The remains were moved to Quigley Cemetery in 1966 in preparation for even more flooding when the river was dammed. Shelby Co Inscrip Vol I p 48

1853
In spite of local population growth, Bates records, "Old settlers say it was no uncommon sight to see a herd of 100 deer at a time in or around (Buck Grove)." Those early settlers included Daniel Yantis, Washington Armstrong and members of the Davis, Durkee, Hopkins, Atkinson, Casey families.

A post office opened in Moawequa in 1853. "According to Ackerman, this name was taken from Flat Branch, a small stream (one and a half miles south of the Illinois Central Railroad station) that was called Moawequa by the Indians, signifying either weeping woman or wolf woman. Elijah Haines spelled the name Moweaqua, found it in both Ojibway and Potawatomi, and claimed it meant "Weeping woman" in the first and "Wolf woman" in the latter.

The reason this name was given to the stream is unknown, though on the east for of Mowawequa (sic) Creek, wrote Lewis Beck, was a large rock "to which the natives pay homage, by depositing on it some tobacco or paint." Among possible name sources is Chief Wolf, mentioned at Peoria in 1779, and Le Loup (the Wolf) a Piankashaw chief, recorded in 1752. Moweaqua was the name of a seventh century Mohegan Indian, the brother of chief Uncas. Indian Place Names in Illinois, by Virgil J. Vogel, Pamphlet Series No. 4, the Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield IL 1963.

Mowequa also delivered mail to Pleak and Prairie Home. Those settlers bore the names of Snyder, Irish, Corrington, Plant, Prescott, Longenbach, Gilliland, Porter, Wagner, Harding, Bramblett, Cooley, Duncan, Snell, Gregory, Friedley, Buck.

The freemasons were active enough in Flat Branch Township to create the Masonic Cemetery southeast of Moweaqua in Section 4 about 1853.

Burials in the William Price cemetery started around this time. Along with the Price family, the Woolard/Woolard, Woodward, Hinton, Clemmer and Taniges families are buried here. This cemetery is southeast of Oconee in Section 36 of Oconee Township.

Shelbyville resident Elmer Sanborn deeded the Bluff Cemetery property to the city in 1853. Ed Boedecker has documented Lora Moretta Myers was buried here in 1858, but he notes the cemetery has been moved and some stones may have been lost.

The community of Fruit Hill began mail delivery at the beginning of 1853. The location is forgotten but it was reportedly open until the middle of 1858.

The Stone Coal post office was established 9/19/1853 and incorporated with the Pana (Christian Co) office 2/22/1855. This is a reminder some communities that came into being in 1853 are no longer associated with Shelby County.

1854
The Hood post office was established by Aaron Hood in the southern part of Ash Grove Township in 1854.

When A. C. Edwards passed away at age 22 in March of 1854 he became the first to be buried in the Edwards Cemetery. This out of the way cemetery is in Section 11 of Lakewood Township. Celinda Hudson was buried here alongside seven members of the Edwards family.

Hudson Cemetery on the Granville Hodson farm, is the final resting place of two Hodson children. But the first burial was eleven month old Martha Mize. She is surrounded by other Mize family members, two children of Samuel and Ellen Roland, and an Ohio infantryman, Isaac Thomason. Joseph Mize and thompson are the only two adults buried alongside the eight children buried here. The Hodson Cemetery is in Section 24 of Lakewood Township.

A post office was established at Mode in October of 1854 in Section 23 by Elisha Roley. Since the village today occupies Sections 34 and 35, the post office would have been at Old Town Mode. It served Fancher and Milne.

Mode was also known as Smithville. Jacob Smith laid out to the town. At various times there have been a Unitarian and Christian Union Church nearby, known locally as "The Union" where many of the early residents were buried. There was also a Mt. Zion Methodist Church on Section 16.

Mode area residents included the Howe, Leathers, Gallagher, Leathers, Graybill, Compton, Middlesworth, Duncan, Moore and Voris families. Residents of Old Town Mode included Shuff, Shaw, DeVore, Nichols, Taylor.

Two years after losing his wife, Willard Hidden purchased land in township 9.

1855
In 1855, Evangelist Thomas Goodman organized the Mount Pleasant congregation in Prairie Township. The meetings were held first in the Baker Schoolhouse and then in the Forrest Schoolhouse. James Carr preached for this congregation for thirty years, and died there in 1880. Others who preached here were Tobias Grider, Wm. Colson, A. A. Lovins, J. I. Seward, J. M. Morgan and Isaac McCash.

During this year, a post office named Luro was renamed Oconee Station. It did not shorten the name to Oconee until 1872.

1856
Obed Klar bought property in Pickaway Township in 1856 and became the father of the community of Obed.

The Robin post office, a New York Central railroad depot near Shelbyville, came into being by 1856 and disappeared sometime prior to 1858.

Neapolis post office delivered mail from 1856 to 1859. Exact location is unclear.

Cochran's Grove became Windsor on July 8, 1856. It served the communities of Quigley and Sargents. Windsor was also known as Illiopolis. The Windsor post office served the Bruce, Voris, Middlesworth, Munson, Ramsey, Grider, Firebaugh, Scroggins, Niles, Gordon, Storms, Edwards, Davis, Moberly, Sargent, Gordon, Cox, Maxedon, Walden, Hiligoss, and Kuhl families.

Julia A. Firgason died in November of 1856 and she was buried on the Elmer Smith Farm on Corley Ridge. Her two month old daughter died two months later. These are the only known burials in this tiny cemetery.

In 1856 William Colston allowed the construction of Prairie Township's Mound School, also known as District 1, to be built on his land. The cemetery is just east of the former school, which eventually became a residence. The land for the cemetery was given by John Beals. Shelby Co Inscrip Vol IV p 44

Local newspapers ran gossip columns about District 1. This is the area they refer to. The property is at times recorded as being in Effingham County, no doubt due to boundary changes. The Mound Cemetery is generally considered to be nearest to Fancher.

On the current Fayette/Shelby County border, Hanson's Station sometime around 1856. It has gone by the name Shinkle at times. This community is sometimes listed under Fayette County. Mail delivery was changed to Ramsey in 1931. There was also a Hanson School in the vicinity.

The Giles Cemetery took its name from S. E. Giles, who buried his daughter here in 1856. Shuppert and Clesson families are also buried in this Holland Township Section 9 cemetery.

1857
By 1857, interments in the Cutler Cemetery were underway. This cemetery, on Section 14 of Rose Township, is known locally as the Will Lewin farm. Bechtell, Cox, Shaw and, of course the Cutler family, are buried here.

Tower Hill had its first mail delivery in 1857, when the name was changed from Westminster. Mail was sporadic during early years and Tower Hill addresses went by Manyawper, Pilot Knob and Westminster. Dollville and Skates residents received mail through the Tower Hill office. Some families who settled in this area include Corley, Ryder, Eiler, Bowman, Craddick, Silknitter, Ash, Foor, Stamm, Wirey, Ealker, Killian and Waters. 

Burials in the Cutler Cemetery in Rose Township Sec 14 appear to have started in 1857. There are Cutler family members buried here along with Shaw, Frazier, Perryman, Martin, Koster/Koester, Root, Cox and Bechtel families.

Little Flock Baptist Church and Cemetery came about when they began meeting in a schoolhouse southeast of Mowequa near Chamberlin Martz' home. According to the Decatur Genealogical Society, the original name was Baptists on Lake Fork. The church belonged to the New State (Rehoboth) Association. A number of the Tolly family are buried here rather than in the Tolly Cemetery. It is a fairly large cemetery south of Obed in Flat Branch Section 24.

1858
John Foster was the first burial and namesake for Foster Cemetery. This Todds Point Township Section 20 cemetery is still known as the J. D. Foster farm. Webb, Loy, Cowen, Lenover, Dobson and Motroni are among the others laid to rest here.

1859
Three members of the Moore family were buried in the Moore Cemetery on the Elmer Ballinger farm, starting in 1859. Sarah Beck was buried here in 1880. It is located in Dry Point Township Section 6.

1860
The village of Brunswick actually grew up around a church. The Antioch Church of Christ was organized in 1860 by Bushrod W. Henry. Charter members were John, Sr., Sarah S., James and Mary, Andy and Elizabeth Barrickman; Martha Christman, Rebecca Galyer, W. H. Jackson, Leah James; William, Isaac, Sr., Samuel, Nathan, Eleanor, Lydia and Ellen Killam, E. J. and James Miller, Jacob Morehouse, Hiram and Rachel Pogue, Henry and Isabel Prichard, H. C. and Margaret Robertson, John and Eliza Smith, and C. L. Scott. Nathaniel S. Haynes, History of the Disciples in Illinois 1819 – 1914, pages 385 – 393. This online edition 1997, James L. McMillan

By 1860, Shelby County was growing as reflected by local government. William B. Travis represented Rural Township in supervisors meeting June 8, 1860 Higginson Dry Point Townships was represented in a township supervisor's meeting in June of 1860 by William I. Milton. Higginson William Manning represented Prairie Township in supervisors meeting June 8, 1860 Higginson Joseph M. Brown represented Richland Township in supervisors meeting June 8, 1860 Higginson John C. Selby represented Rose Township in supervisors meeting June 8, 1860 HigginsonHigginson  William J. F. Howe represented Holland Township in supervisors meeting June 8, 1860 Higginson Senator Wm Howe is buried in Howe Cemetery.

There was a community, as well as a township, known as Holland. The Holland post office opened January 11, 1861. Due to county realignments, Holland sometimes appears in Effingham County and sometimes in Shelby County. But the community existed until 1922 when the post office disbanded and mail was diverted through Beecher City.

There was a settlement known as Okaw. It bore the same name as the native American word for the Kaskaskia River. Okaw includes Coon Creek, Sand Creek and the Okaw River. The Okaw area is just north of the Lake Shelbyville empoundment. Ledbetter and Francisco were among early settlers. Later the Hadley Brothers bought out their property and opened a distillery mill on Section 33. Francisco, Henry Dazey, Earp, Freyberger, Ledbetter, and Turney names are associated with Okaw. Alfred Francisco represented township in supervisors meeting June 8, 1860. Higginson The West Okaw Church was organized Oct 20, 1860. Higginson p 181

"In April, 1860, Min. John Sconce formed a congregation in a log schoolhouse near the northeast corner of Todd's Point Township with fifty – eight members, which was known as Welborn Creek (Disciples of Christ) Church. A chapel costing $1,200 was built in 1871, located three miles north of the site of Findley [sic]. The growth of towns on railways reduced its strength, but its dissolution was hastened by a contention of two of its men over a stalk – field. It disbanded about 1900. The house still stands there. Its remnants went to Findley and Bethany Churches." Nathaniel S. Haynes, History of the Disciples in Illinois 1819 – 1914, pages 385 – 393. This online edition 1997, James L. McMillan John Casey represented Pickaway Township in a supervisors meeting June 8, 1860. Higginson Local residents include Corley, Bayse, Casey, Hilliard, Yantis, Longenbaugh families. Joseph Klar, a Pickaway Township resident, invented and patented Klar's Hog Trap and Check Rower.

1861
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Cowden congregation organized in 1861, meeting in the Pleasant Grove Schoolhouse near Cowden. The Rev. Isaiah Villars came to Cowden in 1866 as the first preacher.

Early members included the McMillen, Mason, Reynolds, Ballenbaugh, Prater and Jewett families. History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois 1819 – 1914, by Nathaniel S. Haynes, A. M. from Standard Publishing Co. Cincinnati 1915.

The community of Thornton appears on in the 1861 edition of Mitchell's Atlas (Philadelphia), south of Shelbyville.

Burials apparently started in the Horsman Cemetery with the death of Joseph L. Horsman, Sgt. Co. M of the Third Illinois Cavalry. He died at Rolla, Missouri, in 1861 and is probably one of very few Shelby County burials of the time where the deceased did not die nearby. In addition to other Horsman family members, Ellsworth, Prentiss and Davis families are buried here in Section 23 of Cold Spring Township.

1862
The Barker cemetery came into being into being when the Barker family lost their 8 year old son during 1862. The Barker Cemetery is in Section 36 of Okaw Township, probably on land they owned.

When James Chisnhall of Orange County, N.C., died in 1862, the Chisnhall Cemetery was established in Section 20 of Windsor Township. The only two stones known to have existed in the Chisnhall Cemetery were those of James and his wife, Mary. Locally the property is known as the Walter Brewer farm, according to Ed Boedecker.

1863
The Hooker post office opened in April of 1863 in Big Spring Township