OCONEE TOWNSHIP
(Shelby County)

Situated in the extreme southwest corner of Shelby county and contains fifty-four sections; it is bounded on the west by Montgomery county, on the north bv Christian county, on the south by Fayette county, and on the east by Cold Spring township. The town ship of Oconee is well drained, and well supplied with water by the numerous creeks with which it is traversed; the largest of these is Opossum creek. This stream directs its course from the north-west towards the centre of the township; thence flowing in a north-easterly direction making its exit at section 24 into the adjoining township where it joins Beck's creek, which in turn empties itself into the Kaskaskia river. Coal creek, Grassy branch, and Doyle branch, are in the northeast part of Oconee, and are all tributaries of the Opossum; Matney branch in the center of the township, also joins the Opossum creek. In the southern part of the township are Indian Camp branch, Stone Quarry branch and Otter creek, all of the last named streams flowing in a so utherly direction. There is considerable timber growing in this township, particularly adjacent to the water courses; the western, northern and most central parts however are good prairie lands, with well improved farms and buildings; the soil is fairly p roductive, and for agricultural purposes may be classed among the good townships of the county.

The first person who entered land in this township was Merida Henderson, in February, 1836, upon the west half of the south-east quarter of section 21, Town 10, Range 1 East. During the same month James Reed made entry of the north-east quarter of section 17, also the north-east quarter of section 22. John S. Hayward at the same time made entries of land in sections 17, 20, 21 and 23.

The first settlers of whom we have any authentic record were the Widow Matney and family about the year 1830. She came from Sangamon county accompanied by her four boys and four girls. The family settled uopn section 34, on the east side of the Matney bra nch creek. The only member of this family left and now living in the county is Nancy Gragg who resides upon section 33. Titus Gragg was a soldier in the war of 1812, fighting Indians in the valley of the Mississippi. One of the first settlers in the vicinity of the town of Oconee, was Charles Matney; he located upon what is now known as the Custer place, as early as 1830 or 1831. Walter Matney settled a short distance north upon the same tract of land about the same t ime. Leonard Matney located upon Round Prairie about 1840. Samuel and William Matney settled on the Matney branch creek about the year 1831.

Thomas Holbrook, a native of North Carolina, settled on section 25 about 1840; three of his sons still live here and are farmers.

James Freeman came to Shelby county as early as 1832, and settled upon section 2; he was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and a man of considerable prominence in the early days. He was also a captain in the Mexican war. He erected a horse mill upon his pl ace in the year 1833, and at one time had a still in operation. James Freeman raised a family of nine children. Henry Freeman now resides upon the land. The old gentleman died some years ago in Okaw township, near the Okaw river.

William Price, a native of North Carolina, located upon the land he now occupies in 1834. Other old settlers in the south part of Oconee, were: Andrew McGee, Willis Rose, Lewis Hinton, Henry Rose, Thomas Bell, E. Doyle, and J. Woolard. Thomas Freeman, bro ther to James, settled here in 1830. He afterward purchased the James Freeman place, where he died in 1875. He raised a family of six children. Jonathan Lee settled on Grassy Branch creek about 1843.

John Mount was also one of the early residents, and located upon section 2, where he erected a horse mill, which was in operation for several years. He is now a citizen of the town of Pana, in the adjoining county.

Other old settlers in the north part of the township, were: Miner Winn, J. J. Donnelley, J. Hobson, and James Combest. John Hinton, now living in Oconee, is one of the oldest citizens of the place. His father, Lewis Hinton, settled in the east part of the township (now the John Woolard place) in 1836. He raised a family of

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twelve children, ten of whom are now living. All excepting one are residing in this county. William Price, his wife, and Nancy Gragg are the oldest settlers now living in the township.

The first preaching was at the residence of James Freeman. The Rev. James Beck was the preacher, and was of the Baptist denomination.

In 1834-5-6 the Methodist itinerant ministers preached at the residence of Wm. Price.

The first school-house was built of hewed logs, in 1838, and was erected in the north part of section 35 near the present schoolhouse and P. Hinton's residence.

The first schoolhouse erected in the north part of the township stood near the centre of Section 2. It was built in the winter of 1846. It was a round log structure, with greased paper windows, after the manner of schoolhouses in those days. The following April Wm. Price opened a subscription school, which he taught for two years consecutively. This building was also used as the church, in which the Rev. Montgomery preached the first sermon.

The first town laid out in the township of Oconee was called Luro, (upon Section 5), about 1854. When the Illinois Central R. R. was being constructed, Dr. Ballard laid out the town, which gave promise of being of some importance, but the R. R. company re fusing to put in a switch, its enterprise speedily died out. Ervin Sanders erected a store and sold the first goods in the town. Freeman, Roberts & Hinton also put up a store, and opened a stock of goods in Dec. 1854. The town died out and the store build ings were removed to Oconee, a newer town, laid out in the following year. April, 1855, Oconee was surveyed by E. G. Shallenberger, the county surveyor, on Section 20, for Morris, Ketchum & Co. Freeman, Roberts & Hinton having removed their store building from Luro, began selling goods in August, 1855. This was the first stock of goods taken into the town of Oconee.

The first house erected in the town was built by James A. Coplin, a physician and carpenter; he also kept a boardinghouse. The second building was owned by Culbertson & Co., in which a saloon was carried on, but afterwards changed their business to that o f a dry goods and general store. Smith & Brothers who had done business in Luro, removed to Oconee and opened a general store.

The first post-master was William Gunnells, and as he was also the railroad agent, the post-office was kept at the depot. John McBride was the first blacksmith in the town.

There are three churches in Oconee of the following denominations: Methodist, Catholic and Lutheran.

A commodious brick school-house consisting of three rooms graces the town, wherein are employed two teachers.

The mill at Oconee was built in 1873, by M. G. Fuller, by whom it is still managed; it has two run of burrs, and an elevator in connection with the milling business, operated by John Hinton, who handles all kinds of grain. Fuller has this year, 1880, adde d a saw attachment to his mill, which is in frequent operation.

A hay press was erected in the town in 1876, by D. M. Keys, who presses and ships about 800 tons of hay annually,

The following building interests are also represented in the town:

Physicians.-John Spell, J. H. Miller and W. D. Blatchley.

Double Store General Merchandize. -Sloan & Roberts.

General Merchandize. -L. L. Gale & Son, Henry Griffith.

Drugs and Deputy Post-master. -W. H. Aughinbaugh.

Jewelry, Watches and Clocks. -J. W. Davis.

Restaurant. -Mrs. C. Steinbrunn.

Hotels. -A. B. Wilmot, Mrs. L. Ball.

Blacksmith Shops. -Davis & Stokes, Phillip Diefenthaler.

Wagon Shop. -J. W. Davis.

Milliner. -Mrs. M. Wilmer.

Shoemaker. -William Ruppe.

Harness Shop. -B. Simens.

Undertaker. -Harris Gravatt.

Cooper Shop. -C. Steinbrunn.

Butcher Shop.-Burk Bros.

Oconee Lodge, No. 392, A. F. and A. Masons, was chartered October 8, 1863, with the following charter members: W. P. Paxton, W. M.; S. S. Roberts, S. W.; A. W. Smith, J. W.; D. J. Sloan, Alfred Hutchinson, James Slater, J. K Porter, J. H. Russel, James Sm ith, John Hinton, John W. Coplin. Present officers: W. H. Aughinbaugh, W. M.; John Garrison, S. W.; Philip Diefenthaler, J. W. ; John Jones, Treas.; L. Wrede, Secy.; J. T. Leonard, S. D.; C. S. Turner, J. D.; A. B. Wilmot, Tyler.

Supervisors of Oconee: J. Williamson, elected in 1860 ; James McNutt, elected in 1861, re-elected in 1862 and 1863; M. Lowe, elected in 1864, re-elected in 1865 and 1866 ; John Hinton, elected in 1867, re-elected in 1868 and 1869; John Casey, (Chairman), elected in 1870; J. Hinton, elected in 1871, re-elected in 1872 and 1873; W. D. Matney, elected in 1874; A. Jamison, elected in 1875, re-elected in 1876; J. Hinton, elected in 1877; J. K. Bracken, elected in 1878 ; N. P. McNutt, elected in 1879, re-electe d in 1880, and present incumbent.