The History of Moultrie and Shelby Counties, Illinois
Philadelphia, 1881 History of Moultrie County
Village of Bethany
"This is a growing little place, situated on the line of the PD and ERR, in section 22. The land upon which it is located was entered by Robert Law, who built the first house. This was a small log cabin erected in 1834. Mr. Law was a farmer, and, as above-mentioned, built an early mill at this point. In 1837, Law sold out to A. N. Ashmore; and he soon afterwards sold out to Rev. A. M. Wilson. Mr. Wilson built a large two-story log house, which was considered quite a fine structure in those days. This was all the building done here until 1854, when Dr. J. D. Livesay, who was the first physician, erected a frame dwelling and store house, and in partnership with Thomas Sowell, opened a general stock of goods for sale. this was the first frame building, and is now used as a wagon shop by Lantz and Mitchell.
There was no school taught in the village proper until about 1871, when a Miss Snyder taught in the private residence of Stephen McReynolds. The present school-house was built in 1874. It is frame, one story with two rooms, and employs two teachers.
The old Bethany church that stood on the village site, and from which it received its name was built of hewed logs in 1838. It was replaced by the present frame structure in 1855, at a cost of $2,200. This is the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The Methodist church was erected in the fall of 1872.
There was a post office established in 1856, at Marrowbone, and J. L. Livesay was made the first post-master. W. P. McGuire, was next appointed, and through his efforts the name was changed to Bethany.
Bethany was incorporated as a village in the spring of 1877, and the following were the first trustees. J. F. Knight, President, B. F. McMennamy, D. F. Kennedy, Andrew Bankson, S. H. Sanner, G. T. Hill, clerk, J. G. Smutz, Treasurer. page 243
Marrowbone Township in Moultrie County
This township is situated in the western part of Moultrie county, bounded north by Dora, east by Lovington and Sullivan townships, south by Shelby county and west by Shelby and Macon counties. It contains 24, 948 acres. There was originally about one-third of territory covered with timber, much of which has been cleared off and made into farms.
The rich lands are drained by the West Okaw river, Marrowbone creek and their tributaries which flow south and south-easterly through the township. The name Marrowbone, originated from the following peculiar circumstances. Jacob McCune and Jones Daniels, while hunting in this region, encamped for the night on section 8, town 14-4, and after lighting their camp-fire, made preparations for supper which consisted of venison roasted before the fire. After eating the meat they broke the bones and feasted on the marrow. The next morning when they had prepared to leave, Daniels asked, "What shall we call this camp?" McCune looking around at the scattered bones with a keen remembrance of the feast replied, "We will call it Marrowbone." Hence the name. page 241
Atlas of Moultrie Co.
and the State of Illinois
Chicago, 1875