This township was first settled by Col. Levens in Sec 1 and 2 of the Horse Creek area. In 1802
Paul Harrelston came to the mouth of Camp Creek. 1806 brought Samuel Crozler to settled
about 3 miles south of Evansville and 1808 the Henderson family came in from SC. The
O'Harra's family was originally from MD but came to IL from KY in 1817. The senior member
was Henry who bought land at Walnut Ridge about 1 mile north of Ruma. This family was
Catholic. About the same time the Mudd, Simpson and Donahue families settled the same area.
A church was est and later the College of the Sacred Heart. Amos Paxton moved south of
Ruma. In 1818 Joseph and Thomas Orr made the trip from VA. Joseph was a Major in the
militia and died in Sparta c 1850. Thomas Orr moved on to Pike co in 1829. 1818 also saw
John Brewer of KY and the Hull brother also of KY (Norton, Samuel, Lewis and Thomas) .
John Brewer's sons were: Thomas, Felix, Vincent, George, Pius and John.
Ruma was located on the old Belleville and Kaskaskia road. The Post Office was established in
1849. It is located on Rt 3 south of Red bud.
Evansville was first settled by Andrew White in 1811, he sold to Adam Henderson, who sold to
Levi Worth. Mr Worth had the ferry there, at this time the town was called North Ferry. He sold
the land to Eli Chappell who in turn sold it to Caldwell Evans. Mr Evans had the town layed out
in 1834. Edmond Eccles moved to the new town in 1836. By 1837 there was a mill, Evans' put
up a hotel and Paul Craddock owned a cooper shop in town. In 1840 William McKee
O'Melvany opened a store and 1847 a Mr Wehrhein had a store as well. A Post Office was est
in 1849 By 1857 Jonathon Chestnutwood of OH had a brewery in Evansville.
Marigold formerly called Dogwood is a tiny hamlet located on county Rd 1200E south of Ruma.
The Post Office was est there in 1856.
Clark Blenheim O'Harra