Benjamin MADDOX donated the ground for Pleasant Grovew cemetery in 1850. The first one buried was George Murphy, son of Willilam F. and Rebecca Jane Maddox Murphy. He died 10 August 1850, age 3 years, 7 months and 10 days. He was the grandson of Benjamin Maddox.
The iron fence around the cemetery was subscribed and ordered 21 November 1904 at the cost of $435.00. It was built by the ENTERPRISE FOUNDRY AND FENCE COMPANY, 366 S. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Telephone 958. Wm. Helfenberger, Pres. G. Ellis, Secy and Treas.
BENJAMIN MADDOX and family came to Illinois from Ohio in 1848 and settled near Brushy Fork, Douglas county, Illinois. As there were no railroads, they came in covered wagons, 8 wagons and 1 buggy. They camped out at nights 12 days on the road. They landed in Coles county, now Douglas county, Illinois in 1848. He bought land near Brushy Fork.
It was thinly settled, was only one church. One school house was eight miles off from his home. In time they cut trees and built a church and school house.
Benjamin Maddox kept the post office at his home. He had mail twice a week, on Thursday and Saturday; carried on horse back from Charleston, Illinois to Urbana, Illinois. He had that office several years; then they moved it to a little store at Brushy Fork, Illinois.
The first school his children went to was called Conscription School. Each parent paid so much for each child going to cover expenses of holding school. Eventually free schooling was furnished for each child; the expenses covered by taxes collected in county and paid to each school district.