Photo is of the General Store, which was
also the Post Office.
People are unidentified.
Denmark lies in the southwest part of Perry
County. On state route 4, south of Percy,
go left on the Pyatt blacktop road, for approximately
6 mile.
It was first laid out by John D.
REES, then surveyed and platted by Robert STEELE,
County Surveyor, on April 1, 1860. It
was first called
John's Town, then later called Jack Town.
Although
unproven, Chris WITTMAC, a native of Denmark, has been
credited with changing the name to Denmark.
John REES built the first house there. He and several French Canadians were among the first settlers. He also opened the first store. Benjamin BROWN kept the Post Office, the only one between Du Quoin and Chester, which was in use until 1906/07.
Jacob SHORT had the first dry good and grocery store in 1827. Sometime between 1837 and 1863, Mr. COTTOM owned the store. John McCLURE kept the first blacksmith shop in 1839, and Mr. GADBUY had a wagon shop in 1850. In 1883, Mary REES was Post Mistress and dressmaker, William BOAN had the General store, James EATON was the Wagon maker and J.L. TESSIER the blacksmith.
In the late 1890's, Chris WITTMAC owned the store, and he was the last Postmaster in Denmark. Mr WITTMAC sold the store to Mr. WIEHN in the early 1900's. Mr. WITTMAC died in 1908. Later store owners were Enos BIGHAM, Charles HALLBAUER, Fredrick WILLARD and Walter CARTER, who sold it to John HIGGERSON in 1935. Mr. HIGGERSON had the store until 1973, the sold it to Harvey MITCHELL. The store finally closed in 1977 and the building is no longer there.
Robert CLARK taught the first school in 1825. It was a log building. The first books used were the American Preceptor, English Reader and Columbian Orator. Goose quills and maple bark ink were used for writing. The first school house was built just west of Denmark, and it closed in in 1954. Jean HALLBAUER was the last teacher.
Early religious services were held by Circuit Riders. The first denominations in the community were Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist. Dickey SMITH was the first Methodist preacher in Perry County. The first Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1830, the minister was French. This church was built in 1835 near Denmark.
About 2 mile west of Denmark is the BRADLEY Cemetery, located almost directly south of the Captain Mine offices and loading operations. The cemetery lies surrounded by "strip hills", but there is a rough access road.
The COTTOM Cemetery is approximately 2 miles east of Denmark. It is unknown where the name came from, but at one time it was known as the CROW Burying Ground. The oldest readable markers are those of R. GILLEHAN and Dorcus CRAIN, both dated 1836.
The WEITZEL Cemetery was located northwest of Denmark. It is unknown at this writing if it is still located there, as all that land was heavily mined. Several of the family cemeteries were moved to other locations.
Today, all that remain are the church and
5 or 6
homes. Denmark is surrounded by the
remains of strip mining
operations. In 1964, Captain Mine began
operation with the
worlds's largest shovel, 22 stories high.
The mine and all
surrounding lands are owned by Arch of Illinois,
a division of
Arch Minerals.
This article is reprinted by permission of PCHS to Jean Salger. No parts may be copied or
reproduced in any form or manner for monetary
or personal gain without copyright infringement.
It is intended for educational and personal
use only.
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