USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 45
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 45
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 45
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HOMAS S. HOWELL, one of the old- est settlers now residing in Schuyler county, Illinois, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 16, 1825. His grandfather, John Howell, was a native of Wales, and but little of his history is known; he was a farmer by occupation, and emigrated to America, spending his last days in Guilford county, North Carolina. His son, John Howell, Jr., tlie father of Thomas
S., was born and reared in North Carolina, and there learned thic cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed until 1829; then, accom- panied by his wife and five children, he nn- dertook the overland trip to Illinois, and after eight weeks of travel he arrived in Schuyler county. It had not been long since the first settlers penetrated tliese wilds, and there were consequently few improvements. Indians still lingered about, and wild game was plentiful. Mr. Howell bought a tract of timber land in Woodstock township, and erected a cabin that was tlre pride of the community, from the fact that it liad a shingle roof; the floor was made of puncheons, and the door of heavy oak boards hung on wooden hinges. There were no railroads, and no steamers plying the Illinois river. Mr. How- ell followed liis trade in connection with his agricultural pursuits, and lived here until his death, August 10, 1833. His wife's ınaiden name was Sally Manlove, a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, and a daughter of William Manlove; after her husband's death slie was married a second time, to Stephen Frasier; her death occurred May 1, 1843. She was the mother of seven children: Aman- da, Oscar C., William M., Thomas S., Jona- than M., John H. and Jacob.
Thomas S. Howell was a child of four years when his parents came to Illinois, but well remembers many of the incidents and experiences peculiar to pioneer lifc. His fa- ther kept sheep and raised flax, and from the wool and flax the mother spun, carded and wove the cloth from which the family ward- robe was supplied. He remained with his motlier during her lifetime. The first ven- ture he made in business was threshing 100 bushels of wheat, the agreement being that lie was to receive therefor one-tenth of the wheat; he worked three days to pay for three
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.
barrels in which to ship the wheat to St. Louis, the whole transaction netting him $3. With this capital lie was married, and settled on the liome farm ; lie liad inherited twenty- five acres, and he rented the balance of the other heirs, and there began his career as a farmer. In due time he was enabled to pur- clase this tract.
In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and in June, of that year, was transferred to the Twenty-first Illinois, serving until December 16, of the same year; he was honorably discharged at San Antonio, Texas. Hc resided on the home- stead in Woodstock township until 1875, when he sold this place and purchased the Newbury farm, which consists of 220 acres on section 28, Bainbridge township.
Mr. Howell was married May 14, 1843, to Saralı C. Newbury, who was born in Wash- ington county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Newbury, natives of New York and Virginia respectively, and pioneers of Washington county, Ohio, and Schuyler county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Howell liave eight children living: John E., Austin D., Oscar C., Hattie A., William, Lorain C., Dora and T. Edgar. Our subject is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and is a man who has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
1402 ILLIAM LUCAS, a farmer of Lee township, was born in Mount Ster- ling, June 17, 1837. His father, Daniel, was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 21, 1810, and his father was a native of Virginia, of English ancestry. He was a
lad of sixteen when the Revolutionary war was declared, and served six years in it. Soon after he emigrated to Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers of that State, and from there went on to Butler county, Ohio, and settled thicre as a pioneer in 1796 and re- sided in that county until his death in 1836. His son, Daniel Robins, was the youngest of a large family, was reared to agricultural pursuits, but obtained a good education for those days and by teaching earned enough to educate himself in medicine. He removed froin Ohio to Crawfordsville, Indiana, and from there to Brown county, Illinois, in 1836, and was one of the pioneers. He practiced medicine through Brown and Adams counties until his death, January 26, 1884. In 1843 lie settled in Lee township, where he bought land and in addition to his practice superintended his farm. He married Sarah Aun Keith, of Kentucky, who died March 22, 1890, aged seventy-two years. They had twelve children: William, Newton, Martha Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Dr. George Washing- ton, John Harding, Etlian Allen, Helen, Daniel Webster, Benjamin Franklin and James Edward. Nine are living and three died young.
Willianı remained on the farm until he was thirty-one years of age. He and liis brother went to Texas for a herd ot cattle in 1866. They bought 600 head at $20 a head. They drove thein through to Illinois, crossed the Red river, April 22, and reached Quincy, September 20. The adventure proved a financial disaster. From 1872 to 1876 he and his brother, Newton, were at Memphis, Missouri, in the grain and hay business. In this he was successful, and now owns 632 acres of land, and is a stock farmer, growing the ordinary crops of this section. He keeps from fifty to a hundred head of cattle, and
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owns some of the pure-blood registered stock. He often raises as many as 250 hogs.
He was first married January 2, 1866, to Margaret Miller, who died July 7, 1866, of quick consumption in consequence of an ex- posure while swimining a stream on horse- back. He was again married in 1884, to A. E. Lierly, daughter of William R. Lierly, minister of the Dunkard Church. They have one daughter: Sarah Ann, born Feb- ruary 17, 1890.
OHN H. GOODELL, formerly a pros- perous farmer of Cass county, Illinois, now an enterprising lumber merchant of Chandlerville, was born in Windhamn county, Connecticut, April 15, 1832.
The Goodells were of French ancestry, who settled in Connecticut in an early day. The paternal grandmother of the subject of this sketch was a descendant of the Holbrook family, who were also old and respected residents of the Nutmeg State; while his paternal grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary war, in which he distinguished himself for bravery and efficiency. The par- ents of our subject were Horace and Lucy (Rickard) Goodell, both natives of. Connecti- cut, of which State his mother's ancestors were also early settlers. The father of our subject was reared on a farm in Windham county, the same State, where he and his wife continued to reside until 1837. He then sold out, and with his wife and three children removed to Illinois, making the journey by land and water. Arriving on the frontier he rented land for a number of years, which he farmed, finally buying forty acres of wild land, to which he subsequently added, until it now contains eighty acres. On this he
erected a substantial farm house, where lie continued to reside until his death in May, 1886, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife also died in the year 1868, on the liome- stead, aged flfty-nine years. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, all sons, two of whom now survive, the subject of this sketch and a brother, Charles C. Goodell, the latter now residing on the old homestead.
John H. Goodell lived at home until he was twenty years of age, working on the farm until he was eighteen, and attended the dis- trict school of that vicinity. When eighteen he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he commenced to work at twenty, continuing in tliat vocation for ten years.
At this time war was declared and Mr. Goodell enlisted in August, 1862, in Com- pany A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illi- nois, under Captain Johnson, and served until the close of the war, being a part of the time on detached duty. He was in the hos- pital in Memphis for two months in 1864. He was mustered out of the army in Vicks- burg, Mississippi, at the close of the war, and received his discharge in Springfield, Illinois.
He then returned to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for about two years, after which he came to Chandlerville, and bought the farm on which he now lives. He and his wife together now own 235 acres, which is devoted to mixed farming. In 1876, Mr. Goodell started a lumber-yard in Chand- lerville, which he has continued to operate successfully ever since, having, by upright dealing and uniform courtesy, built up a large trade in the town and surrounding country.
Mr. Goodell was first married February 27, 1853, to Miss Helen E. Cotton, an intelligent lady, and a native of Franklin county, New York. She was a daughter of Gideon C. and
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Miss (Sperry) Cotton, natives of New Eng- land, who removed to New York State, where they died. Mr. Goodell's marriage was des- tined to be of short duration, as ten years later, July 4, 1863, his wife expired at their home in Chandlerville, leaving many sorrowing friends.
On December 28, 1865, Mr. Goodell was married to hiis present wife, Miss Harriet A. Sewall, an estimable lady who was born April 14, 1838, in the county were she now resides. Her father was born in Augusta, Maine, and was a son of General Henry Sewall, a Major in the Revolutionary war, who was afterward made a Major-General of the Eighth Division of the State militia. He died in his native State, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. His brother, Jothan Sewall, was a prominent „ home missionary of Maine, and died in that State at the age of ninety-one years. All the family lived to a great age, and many of the name werc prominent ministers of the gospel. On account of his father's promi- nence and services to the country, his son, father of Mrs. Goodell, obtained a Incrative position in Washington, but on his way thither he was shipwrecked on Long Island sound in extreme cold weather, and, on seeing a woman on board suffering for want of inore clothes, took off his coat and gave it to her to save her life. Then, to keep from freezing and the ship from sinking, lie had to work the ship pump so long that he froze liis hands and was rendered unable to write and fill the office. . Then after a long illness he went, at the age of twenty-one, to Virginia, where he taught school, having received a liberal education for boys in those days. It was while thus engaged that he met and married his wife in Virginia, which was then a part of Maryland. His wife was a native of Nanjamoy, Mary- land, and was a daughter of Samuel and
Catharine Tolliver (Hoe) Middleton. The Middletons were of English ancestry, and early settlers of America. Both families were prominent in business and social affairs of the State, and many of their relatives were accomplished literary men, while others were distinguished in the law and other profes- sions. Some of the descendants took an act- ive and prominent part in the Confederate army. Soon after his marriage, about 1829, Mr. Sewall removed to Illinois, then a new and sparsely settled country. They settled in Jacksonville, where Mr. Sewall taught school and entered 640 acres of land in Cass county. He taught school for about two or three years, when he moved on his farm, where he continued to reside until his death. He was a very devout man and did much good in this new country. He was an active worker in Sunday-school and church matters, acting for years as superintendent of tlie foriner as long as he lived, and was instru- mental in building the first church in the community, of which he was the first Elder. He did more to build up both of these insti- tutions in the early day than any other man in the community. Storms or cold weather never deterred him from his duty. To make sure of prompt attendance he would take liis kindling wood with him, and his wife her broom, and ride three miles to the village church, then used as a schoolhouse; and while he made the fire she would sweep and clean up the house before the people of the village had started out.
He and his worthy wife had six children, three of whom are now living. He was uni- versally beloved and respected, and was greatly lamented when he died on his farm, in 1846, aged about forty-nine years. His devoted wife survived him many years, dying at our subject's home at the advanced age of eighty
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years. What has been said of her husband would apply equally to her, both having led in all good and charitable works, and was al- ways noted for bravery and presence of mind.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodell have six children: Lucy, born May 28, 1868; Lida, born Febrn- ary 2, 1871; William S., born September 16, 1872; John, born March 1, 1875; Andrew J., born March 11, 1877; and Susie, born Febru- ary 27, 1880.
. Mr. Goodell now belongs to the Prohibition party in politics, previous to which he was a Democrat, with the exception of the years 1856 and 1860, when he voted the Republi- can ticket. He is a member of the Good Templar's Lodge, No. 357. For thirty-five years he has been a Deacon in the church, and lie is active in Sunday-school work, having taught the largest Bible class of the older scholars in the Sabbath-school for over thirty years. His worthy wife aids him in all good work. She belongs to the Women's Chris- tian Temperance Union and other ladies' societies, and the whole family are church attendants. They are, in fact, of that class of which it was said they " are the salt of the earth," adding savor to the works of tlie world.
OHN C. FLINN, a prominent farmer and successful stock-raiser of township 17, range 9, section 24, near Ashland, Illinois, was born in Morgan county, this State, August 28, 1842. His parents were Royal and Lovicia (Hall) Flinn, his paternal grandfather having come from Ireland. His father was a native of North Carolina, and when twelve years of age went to Kentucky, from which State he came to Morgan county, Illinois, about 1828. Here he purchased land, which he industriously improved,
making it a valuable farm, on which he lived a number of years. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and also in the Mexican war, serving efficiently in botlı. He died at Prentiss, Morgan county, Illinois, January 27, 1892, in his ninetieth year, his having been a remarkably active career, of unusual longevity. The devoted wife and mother still survives at the old homestead, where she is a helpless invalid from rheunia- tism, being the recipient of the most solicit- ons care of her children and the deepest re- gard of a host of friends. This worthy couple were the parents of six sons and four daugh- ters, four of the former now deceased. Those surviving are: Francis M., now living in Prentiss, Morgan county, this State; Thomas, a resident of Waverly, in the same county; and the four sisters, three of whom live in Morgan county, and one in Maconpin county, Illinois, all being married and having fami- lies. Two sons by a former marriage of the father still survive, one son liaving died.
The subject of this sketch attended the subscription schools of Morgan county, and was reared to farm life. At the age of six- teen years he went to southwestern Missouri, where he followed agricultural pursuits, re- turning to Morgan county in 1862. It was while in Missouri in the early part of the war that he was importuned to unite his for- tunes with the Southern causc, but declined to do so, and returned to tlie Nortli to avoid conscription. Since then he has continued farming pursuits in Morgan and Cass coun- ties, having resided on his present place for nine years. This farm contains 170 acres of choice land, which is principally devoted to grain, besides which some very fine stock is raised. By good management and energy this farm has been very profitable, and he lias accumulated a haudsome competence.
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Mr. Flinn was married in southwestern Missouri, to Miss Hannah Willis, an intelli- gent lady, and a native of Kentucky, in which State hier parents were also born, who emigrated to Missouri when their daughter was a child. To this union have been born ten children, three sons and seven daughters: Ophelia, the oldest, married J. J. Higginson, a prominent merchant of Philadelphia, Illi- nois; Annie is the wife of L. P. Fisher, a farmer, near Jacksonville, this State; Luella and Alice are teachers in the public schools of this county; Jennie, Oscar, Frank, Lella and Stella (twins), and Earle. Tlie twin daughters, now budding into beautiful woinanhood, are so near alike that it puzzles their acquaintances to distingnish them. All except those who are married are under the parental roof, and each and every one of them is intelligent and progressive, being alto- gether a most interesting family, whom it is a pleasure to meet. All of tlie young people are interested in educational work. The son, Frank, lias in view a course in the Gem City Commercial College for the coming winter, while the young ladies who are not already teachers are fitting themselves to becoine such. Numerons good books and periodicals are taken and read with avidity, and fully appreciated by their keen intellects. What- ever disappointments may be in store for Mr. Flinn in agricultural pursnits and pech- niary matters, will be amply compensated for by the charming family with which he is surrounded.
Mr. Flinn is Democratic in his political affiliations and takes a deep interest in all public affairs of importance.
Mrs. Flinn and five of the daughters are members of the Christian Church, to which they render muchi assistance.
Whatever gifts Dame Fortune lias be- stowed upon Mr. Flinn have not been volun- tarily given, but have been wrested from lier by perseverance and honest toil, and he richly deserves his present prosperity and happiness.
EORGE WAGNER, a successful farmer, was born in Hesse-Cassel, in 1825. He had lost his mother when a child, and was brought up by his grandfather. His father came to this country in 1844, but George would not come along, as he did not like his stepmother. In 1848 lie was drafted into the army, and after serving two years he came to the United States, but had helped fight five liard battles. He did not like such a dangerous life, and came away, as did many others at that period.
His father, after coming to America, en- gaged as a piano-maker in New York, in which business he had inade much money in Germany. George never joined his father in this country, but came on West to try his fortune in Cass county.
He was married in this county in a short time, to Mary Deer, a German lady, who died in 1862, leaving five children. Mr. Wagner was a second time married, to Catlı- erine Dietrich, born in Hesse-Cassel, who came to America in her yonth. She has been a most devoted wife, and the mother of six children, three of whom are married and three of whom are yet at home.
Mr. Wagner lias lived in the county since 1850. He first purchased land at 25 cents an acre, and sold it after some improvement, and purchased his present liome. He now owns in section 4, township 17, range 11, 100 acres of improved land, and has good
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farm buildings. He has forty acres of tim- ber land on section 3, township 17, range 11. He purchased the home in 1868, and settled on it in 1870. He was Road Supervisor three terms.
Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are good and well- known people in the county. He is a Republican, and both are upright, honest people.
OW P. COLT, a leading member of commercial circles in Schuyler county, has resided liere since 1843, and is en- titled to the following space in this history of the pioneers of the State and county. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 2, 1828, a son of Alexander and Lucy (Childs) Colt, natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts respectively. The maternal grandfather, Alexander Colt, Sr., emigrated to America from Ireland, accompanied by his wife and children; one brother, Judas Colt, also came to this country and settled in New York State. Alexander Colt, Jr., was the youngest of a large family; he grew to ma- turity in Erie county, and was married there.
In 1843 he removed to Illinois, and settled on a farm near Rushville, Schuyler county, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days. They reared a family of fif- teen children, thirteen of whom lived to ma- ture years. Dow P. Colt was the second born, and is the oldest of the family now liv- ing. When he first came to this State, he was employed in a tannery, and also assisted his father on the farm. At the age of nine- teen years he learned the broom-maker's trade, which he followed fourteen years. Having accumulated some ineans, he embarked in the grocery trade and carried on a thriving busi-
ness until 1870. During the next five years he sold musical instruments, and from 1875 to 1889 he was engaged in the lumber trade. In the latter year he again took up the gro- cery business, which he has since continued without interruption.
Mr. Colt was united in marriage, June 2, 1853, to Miss Ellen Kuhn, a daughter of John and Harriet (White) Kuhn; she was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. To them have been born four children: Alice F., wife of George Bissel, Lucy E., Anna B., wife of James Montieth, and William W. In his political convictions Mr. Colt is allied with the Republican party; he has held the office of member of the village Board, but has not been an office seeker.
He was reared amidst Democratic influ- ences, bnt after the war his father and brothers became Republicans. During the great civil conflict five of his brothers fought for the nation's flag, the youngest being but fifteen years of age: he enlisted, but was re- jected on account of defective vision and hearing. He is not a member of any civic or religious societies at the present time, al- though for many years he was connected with the I. O. O. F.
ACOB ZIMMERMAN, born in section 26, Pike county, Illinois, son of George Zimmerman (see his sketch in this book), remained at home until he enlisted, Au- gust 10, 1862, in Company B, Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, Captain Mathews, com- manding officer. He remained in service un- til the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Baton Rouge and discharged at Spring- field, Illinois. He was with the company in
.
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF . CASS,
all their engagements, notwithstanding he was in the hospital for a short time.
He was married in 1864, to Mary L. Win- ters, born in 1849. After his marriage he resided in Elkhorn, in the first frame house builtin that place. He later built liis present house, in which the family have lived for ten years. He first owned 157 acres, but has now about 146 acres in this county.
Mr. Zimmerman and wife have been ınem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years. He is a member of the People's party, and was a member of the Greenback party some years ago. He is no office seeker, and has had but little time to attend to the local politics.
Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have had the following children: Frank O., married, was born in 1868; Edwin, born in 1871; Minnie P., born in 1873; Mark T., born in 1877; and Jessie W., born in 1884. Minnie P. and Frank O. attended Chadock College at Quincy, Illinois, for a term of six months.
Edwin R. is an artist. The children arc all temperate, having never tasted any intoxi- cating drink in their lives, have never used any profane language, and are strictly honest.
Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are good, reli- able citizens, and are highly respected by their host of friends.
ICHARD MILNER an old settler of Beardstown, was born near Preston, Lancashire, England, thirty miles from Liverpool. He learned the trade of wagonmaker and when young he came to the United States. He was the only one of the family that came to the United States. His parents lived and died in Lancashire, En- gland, the mother when Richard was six years
old, the father, Thomas, a life-long farmer, when he was eighty-four years old. He and his wife were ardent Congregationalists. Richard was the eldest of a large family of brothers and half brothers, and left home for Canada in 1842, but he staid there only fif- teen months and then came to Jacksonville, Illinois, and followed his trade. At Beards- town he was married to Hannah Wood, of Oldham, Yorkshire, England. She came to the United States in 1844, when young, with her father, John Wood. Hc died at. Beards- town, Cass county, at the house of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Milner, aged eighty-six.
Mr. Milner came to Beardstown in 1849, and began here as a wagonmaker and black- smith for some years. He formed a partner- ship with Amasa Hill, and afterward with John Rose, soon after the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad began to build a linc, and lie became one of the bridge building force, and he continued building them for seven years, until the bridge for the Q. road was built at Beardstown, when he was made bridge-tender, some twenty years ago. He lias retained the position ever since. Later he was made the Government river gauger of of the river at Beardstown, and also was ap- pointed to make observations on the weather and rainfall each day. This position also he has held since its establishment in Beards- town, in 1885 ..
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