USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 50
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 50
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 50
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He was married August 23, 1844. to Sarah Sprigg, born in Meade county, Kentucky, October 11, 1824, being a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Dorsey) Sprigg, natives of Kentucky. The family came to Illinois in 1835 and settled in Huntsville. Mr. Sprigg died in Kentucky while on a visit. His wife survived him and died in Schuyler county.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorsett have had ten chil- dren: Eliza Ann, born August 28, 1845, mar- ried Thomas B. Graham, of Huntsville town- ship; Linza D , deceased December 25, 1848; Nathan G., born December 12, 1849, resides in Ford county, Kansas; Francis A., born December 10, 1851, resides in Huntsville township; Elizabeth Jane, born July 9, 1861, married Lewis Alexander Prather, resides in Littleton township; William M., born March 11, 1865, at home; Mary M., born May 7,
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1867, at home; and Cynthia E., born August 10, 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorsett are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Dorsett has been a member since he was fourteen years old. He has been a Class- leader for many years in the church at Shiloh, of which society he was the organizer and liberal supporter. Mr. Dorsett is a Repub- lican and has been School Director. He and his wife are highly esteemed by all who know them.
Mrs. Dorsett had five sisters and three brothers: Mary Pendleton, Eliza Chappell, Nancy Clark, Sarah Jane Dorsett, Matilda (Ezra) Dorsett, Melvina Vetach, Thomas C., and Samuel, deceased.
ETER S. WILLIAMS, of Lee township, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1847. His father, Alexander, now liv- ing at the Mounds, was born in Ohio, in 1818, and his father, Thomas Jefferson, was a Mary- land farmer who came to Ohio a young man. He died there on his farm of 200 acres. His wife's name was Sarah Jones. Alexander Williams married Lydia Ann, daughter of David and Sarah Smith. Peter is one of nine children. His parents came to Illinois and lived in Adams county five years, where they bought a piece of land. They came by water, bringing two children with them. They came to Brown county in 1856 and bought a farm of 120 acres on section 7 and 8, in Lee township. They moved to Mound . Station in 1884, where they have lived ever since. They have lands also in Kansas. They gave their children a good common schooling. Mr. Peter Williams raises as many as 100 hogs. He has from forty to
100 head of stock, keeps from fifty to 300 sheep. He has nearly 500 acres of land all under the plow and also sixty acres of fine timber, from which he has cut the largest and most valuable oaks and walnut trees. They have buried one little son, Charlie, two years old, and have besides five children: Ralph, Eliner, Jennie, James and Blanclie. They in- tend to give them all a good education.
Mr. Williams built his house in 1880. It is a large, two-story frame building. He bnilt his barn in 1884. It is 34 x44, for stock and hay. He has also built another stock barn, 40 x 44 feet. He has sold about two car loads of cattle per annum for the past fifteen years, but it has not paid of late. Mr. Williams and his wife are worthy citizens of the county in which they live. Mrs. Will- iams was born at her present home, in Sep- tember, 1835, and married October 17, 1872. Her parents bought 124 acres in 1832 and also some land in other counties, making in all about 500 acres. She was Cora Camp- bell, daughter of William and Sarah (Mc- Cormick) Campbell. They moved from Ten- nesssee into Sangumon county in 1829.
Mr. Williams is serving his second term as Supervisor and has served as Road Commis- sioner for the township. He is a Democrat, a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar. His family belong to the Missionary Bap- tist society .
OHN HUESCHEN dates his birth in Prussia, January 20, 1846. A review of his life and ancestry gives the fol- lowing facts:
His father, Henry Hueschen, was one of a family of four sons: Matthias, George, Henry and Deidrich. His parents were born and
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passed their lives in Prussia. Matthias and George reared families in their native land, and are still living there, Henry and Deid- rich being the only ones to come to America. Deidrich is now a resident of Springfield. Henry Hneschen learned the trade of weaver, and was employed at work at his trade and farming in Prussia until 1852, when, with with his wife and three children, he came to America. They set sail from Bremen and after a voyage of nearly four weeks landed in New Orleans; thence np thic Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Beardstown. After his arrival in Illinois, Mr. Hueschen found em- ployment at various kinds of work. He bought a home at Beardstown and residcd there for many years. His death occurred at the home of his son John, in 1883. His wife's death occurred some years before his. Of their four children be it recorded that Sophia died in Germany when yonng; that Sibilla married John Henry Betz, and lives in the State of Washington; the other two are John and William.
John Hueschen was only six years of age when the family emigrated to America; consequently he remembers little of his na- tive land. At the time they settled in Beards- town, althoughi only a small place, it con- tained a large packing house and was tlie principal market for this section of the country. Hc attended a German school, and as soon as he was old enough to work was variously employed. From the time lie was twenty-one until he was thirty he worked on a farm by the month, after which for seven years he rented land. At the end of this time he purchased the 120 acres on which he now resides. This place is well improved with good buildings; ctc.
March 9, 1876, Mr. Hueschen was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fidler, a native
of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and a daugh- ter of Henry and Katherine Fidler. This union has been blessed with three children, namely: Theodore, born January 25, 1877, and died April 5, 1892; Huldah, born June 7, 1887; Alvin, August 6, 1890, and died February 26, 1892.
He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
ASPER STOCK, general farmer on sec- tion 34, of the precinct of Beardstown, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, 1832. He was the son of Thomas and Margaretta (Shaffer) Stock, who both came of old Hesse famlics of pure German blood. Thomas was reared to the business of distil- ler and was thus engaged until he came to the United States. He and his wife with their two children came from Bremen and landed in Baltimore after a six weeks' voyage in a three-mast sailing vessel. After the usual trip they arrived in Beardstown, October 26, 1836. The father purchased and settled a year latter on land in the precinct of Arenz- ville, which he cultivated successfully until his death, March 14, 1846. He was a good hard-working man and was very ambitions, but did not live long enough to realize his hopes. His wife is still living with her son, Thomas, Jr., on the old homestead. She is eiglity-one years of age, but is quite active and mentally strong. She and her husband were all their lives members of the German Lutheran Church.
Casper was brought to this county when four years of age and was raised as a farmer. He has always been a resident of this county and one of its most worthy German citizens. He is a quiet, unassuming man, and when he
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took charge of his farm the land was raw and unbroken, but by quiet, persevering ef- fort he has made it one of the finest places in the county. He owns 260 acres, all improved. He has lived on the place for thirty-six years and has owned it for twenty-six.
He was married in Cass county to Catli- erine Seeger of Ohio, and came when very young to Cass county with her parents. Her father, Henry Seeger, is a retired merchant who lives in Beardstown. He is one of the old German settlers and came to the United States in 1830, living in Beardstown since 1849. He was for years a merchant there and his wife died in the same place. Mrs. Stock is one of five children, all living. Mr. and Mrs. Stock are the parents of three children: Henry, a farmer of Beardstown, married to Minnie Hansmeir; Mary Pilger, living in Beardstown; Rosa Hinners married a farmer of Arenzville precinct. Mr. and Mrs. Stock attend the Lutheran Church and are good, prosperous people. Mr. Stock is a member of the Democratic party.
EV. WILLIAM S. GARNER was born in what is now Cass connty, Illinois, December 16, 1837. He has passed his whole life in this county, and has witnessed the changes which have transformed the frontier into a well-improved and thickly populated section of country.
His father, Rev. James Garner, was born in North Carolina, October 7, 1792; when very young went to Kentucky, and subse- quently to Clark county, Indiana, where he was married and resided till 1830. He was converted when a young man, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became identified with the ministry. He was a.
member of the Indiana Conference, and preached in different places in that State till failing health compelled him to relinquish his labors. It was then that he came to Illi- nois. He made the journey to this State with a four-horse team and wagon, being accompanied by his wife and four children. They cooked and camped on the road, and. after their arrival here settled in township 17, range 10, where they lived a year or two. Mr. Garner then entered a tract of Govern- ment land in section 2, township 17, range 9, on which he put up a log house, built after the fashion of those days, with rived boards for roof, stick-and-mud chimney, etc. In this humble abode William S. was born. It was some years before there were any rail- roads liere. The first railroad bnilt in this vicinity was from Springfield to Jacksonville, the rails being of wood, and the cars drawn by horses. After his settlement in Illinois, James R. Garner became a local preacher. He was frequently called upon to marry couples and to preach funerals. Often he would ride a number of miles to perform a marriage ceremony, and receive 50 cents or $1 for liis pay. In politics he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican. He was a strong anti-slavery nian. The subject of our sketch remembers when Beardstown was the chief market and depot of supplies for many miles around. The merchants in Springfield used to go to Beardstown with teams for their goods. The price of all farm products was very low. Dressed pork sold for 75 cents to $1.50 per 100 pounds; corn and oats, 10 to 15 cents per bushel; a cow and calf, $8 to $10. Deer and wild turkey were plentiful throughout the State. The people lived on wild game and the products of their own land, dressed in homespun, and withal were as happy, it not inore so, than they are to-
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day. It was not unusual to see the pioneer women walking two or three miles to church and carrying their shoes, putting them on as they neared the church.
In 1855 Mr. Garner divided his land among his children, and moved to section 36, township 18, range 9, where he improved a farın and resided till his death, September 11, 1862. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Robertson. She was born in Clark county, Indiana, October 15, 1795, when that State was a part of the Northwest Territory. These worthy pioneers reared ten children, viz .: Mahulda married George Beggs; Green- bury, Jane Redman; Susan, J. Fox; Amos, Lucy Bingley; Mary J., Robert Robertson; James R., Margaret Wilson; John W., Lucy Carver, and after her death, Melinda Down- ing; Sarah A., Henry Sherrer; and William S. All their sons joined the Methodist Epis- copal Church in youth, and became ministers of the same. Greenbury and Amnos united with the Illinois Conference, and the others became local preachers.
The subject of our sketch received his edu- cation in the primitive schools of his native county. As soon as he was old enough he began to assist his father on the farm, and remained with his parents till their death. He was converted at the age of nineteen, joined the church, and a few years later was licensed to preach. All his life he has been true to the cause he espoused in his youth, ever showing by example as well as precept that he is a true follower of the Lord. In 1870 he inoved from the old homestead to his present farm of 120 acres. Besides this he owns other land, making in all 210 acres.
Mr. Garner was married in 1858, Septem- ber 30, to Nancy M. Crews, a native of Sau- gamon county, Illinois, and a daughter of Jesse and Susan (Sneed) Crews, natives of
Kentucky and pioneers of that county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, namely: Hanson A., Nellie May, James H., Lena U., Belle, Jesse, Gertie and Pearl. Nellie May married Charles A. Schaeffer (of whom sce sketch in this volume). Lena U. is the wife of La Fayette Shankland.
Politically, Mr. Garner is a Republican. He has served as a member of the School Board, as Justice of the Peace two terins, and as Township Trustee.
Such is a brief outline of the life of one of Cass county's well known and highly esteemed citizens.
RED R. PRINCE, superintendent of the water service of the St. Louis division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, having headquarters at Beardstown, was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, February 9, 1859. He was the son of Charles Prince, of Coventry, Eugland, born August 30, 1822, of good English stock, who, having grown up in the trade of a machinist, had no difficulty in obtaining work in the shops of Coventry. He here married Emma Taylor, of similar ancestry, and after the birth of three children, in 1855, started for the United States, and landed in New York city. They started on their westward journey with teams, and did not stop until they reachcd Mount Pleasant, Iowa, which was yet a hamlet. He there worked hard and establislied a shop, and has since run his business successfully. He is now about seventy years of age, but is still in active business. He and his wife are the only members of their families yet living. They are Universalists in religion, are good, worthy old people. He is a Democrat, and has been Alderman of his city.
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Fred is the fifth of a family of eight chil- dren. He was reared in his native city, and learned his trade of machinist before he be- came of age. Soon after this period of his life he associated himself with the Quincy Railroad. He is a thorough machinist, having learned his trade under his father, is a practi- cal and valuable man for the company, and has given good satisfaction to his employers. Before accepting his present position, Mr. Prince was from April 1, 1881, to September 1, 1883, a machinist at the shops in this place. He has now assumed control of the above mentioned branch of the Quincy busi- ness. It covers about 300 miles of road, representing the employment of fifteen men regularly.
While engaged in the mechanical depart- ment of the Boys' Reform School at Eldora, Iowa, Mr. Prince was married to Miss Mat- tie Champion, of Knox county, Illinois, who was born in 1866, reared in lowa and edu- cated at Oscaloosa, that State. Her father, Joseph Champion, was born in Kentucky, January 31, 1810, and died on his farm near Oscaloosa, at an advanced age. Her mother, Rachel Champion, was born in Indiana, Sep- tember 16, 1816, and is also deceased. The subject of this sketch and his wife are active young people, and much attached to their home. They have no children. Mr. Prince is a Democrat, and a member of Ark Lodge, No. 16, I. O. O. F.
NDREW B. McCORMICK has the hon- or to be one of the pioneers of Schuyler county, and it is fitting that an outline of his life should be recorded on these pages. He is a native of the Empire State, born April 7, 1828, near Albany, Rensselaer county.
His father, Andrew McCormick, was born in Scotland, and is the only member of his family who emigrated to America; his youth was spent in Scotland. Emigrating to the United States he settled in New York city, where he was married. After that event he located in Rensselaer county, where he was employed in a rolling mill until 1836. In that year he removed to Illinois, coming via the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Cleveland, thence by canal to the Ohio river; the journey was continued by the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Beardstown, and thence by team to Rushville, where he arrived Nov- ember 15, 1836; where he lived until the spring of 1837, and then settled on land in Woodstock township, where he built a log house, and began the task of developing the wild waste into a fertile farın At the end of two years he disposed of the property and removed to Rushville, where he died, March 17, 1840. His wife's maiden name was Jane Hill; she was one of the girls participating in the reception of La Fayette at Sumbridge, as- sisting in strewing flowers. She was born in Dutchess county, New York, and was the daughter of David Hill, a native of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. He emigrated to Amer- ica a member of the British army, but after coming here his sympathies were transferred to the colonists, and he deserted King George's ranks, and took up the cause of the oppressed. When the war was ended he settled in Dutchess county, New York, and engaged in farming; there he spent the re- mainder of his days. The father of our sub- ject was a strict Presbyterian; the mother in earlier life belonged to the same church, but afterward joined the Methodists. She was married a second time, and spent her last years in Rushville; she was the mother of
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four children, born of her first marriage: Andrew B., David, Jane E. and Samuel.
Andrew B. was a child of eight years when his parents removed to the frontier, as Illi- nois was then considered. Since that day he has witnessed the wonderful transformation from a wild, almost uninhabited waste into one of the most productive and prosperous States of the Union. He was only twelve years old at the time of his father's death, and was then thrown on his own resources. He found employment on the farm by the month, and worked in this way for three years. At the end of that time he went to learn the cooper's trade, which he followed severai years.
When he reached his majority he received an inheritance from Scotland of £100, and with this he purchased the land on which he now resides; he then turned his attention to agriculture, and soon came to be recognized as a leading anthority on many questions re- lating to husbandry.
He was married February 15, 1849, to Miss La Master, who was born in Rushville township, Schuyler county, Illinois, a daugh- ter of James and Nancy (Donahue) La Mas- ter; the father was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, a son of Abraham and Orpha (Erwin) La Master (see sketch of Charles Kennedy), and came to Illinois with his par- ents in 1826; he resided in Rushville town- ship for a time, and then removed to Bain- bridge township. In 1850 he went to Cali- fornia, making the entire journey overland, and after an absence of three years returned to Illinois and to his home in Bainbridge township, Schnyler county; a year later he went to Fulton county and bought a fine farm two miles north of Lewistown, and there lived until death; his wife had died in Bain- bridge township, many years previous to his
own demise. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are the parents of ten children, of whom fonr died in infancy and two boys after twenty- one. One daughter married, and died in 1881, leaving three daughters. David, Rob- ert, Jessie and Della are living now.
Mr. McCormick is one of the representa- tive early settlers. In his yonth his oppor- tunities were exceedingly limited; schools were taught on the subscription plan, and were conducted in primitive fashion. He has been a wide and careful reader, and through his own efforts has accomplished, in later years, what was denied him in his yonth. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. and is an ardent supporter of its prin- ciples. He is a man of great integrity of character, and has the confidence and re- spect of the entire community.
HARLESKENNEDY, the subject of the following sketch, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, May 31, 1810. His father, Peter Kennedy, was an old settler of Kentucky, and like many others of that date went through some very thrilling experiences. He was made a prisoner by the Indians when but thirteen years of age, and for nine years was kept captive among them. Finally, mak- ing his escape, he managed to reach Louis- ville, that beautiful city being then but a trading fort. In those days acqnaitance- ship grew fast, and ere long, Mr. Kennedy married Rachel Colvin, a Kentuckian, and settled on a farm in Hardin connty, where they both remained during life. A younger son still occupies the old home which he owned.
Charles Kennedy was married to Sarah Phillips, September 19, 1833, and he and his
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wife removed Schuyler county, Illinois. In 1835, he purchased a farm and erccted neat buildings; here they lived until May 21, 1853, when Mrs. Kennedy died. To them were born four children: Jesse, Francis, John Q., and Charles C., two of whom are still living, Jesse and John Q. The latter served in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, under Captain R. L. Greer. Mr. Kennedy's second marriage occurred March 8, 1854, to Miss Nancy La Master, a daughter of Abraham and Orpha La Master. Mr. La Master was born in Maryland, and his wife in Virginia, of French extraction. They were married in Kentucky.
Mrs. Kennedy was but three years old when her parents removed to Illinois. She being an early settler has witnessed the entire development and growth of the coun- try; Mrs. Kennedy is still living. Mr. Ken- nedy died May 16, 1883; to them were born two children: Leander and Mary, Leander married Ellen Malcomson and lias three chil- dren: Bessie, Ruby and James; Mary mar- ried S. R. Carey.
Mrs. Kennedy lias been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than fifty years, Mr. Kennedy was a Baptist in be- lief, and was a life member of that denomi- nation.
OBERT TAYLOR, a pioneer of Illinois, and a prominent citizen of Cass county, dates his birth in Scotland, ten miles sonth of Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Novem- ber, 27, 1816. His father, Robert Taylor, a native of same place, was a son of Angus Tay- lor, who was also born in that locality. Both passed their lives and died therc. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation.
He married Miza McCoy, a native of the same shire, and a daughter of Neill McCoy, also a native of that place. Mrs. Taylor survived her husband some years. She came to Amer- ica in 1837, spent the rest of her life in Cass county, Illinois, and died here in 1845. She reared eight sons and one daughter, namely: Angus, Neill, Alexander, Archibald, Flora, Duncan, John, Robert and William. All came to America.
Robert Taylor was reared and educated in in his native land. When he was three years old his father died, and until he was eight lie lived with his inother. He then found a home with his uncle, Archibald Taylor, with whom he remained three years. Returning to his mother, he lived with her till his eigh- teenth year, when he came to America. He set sail from Greenock May 16, 1835, in the John Hale, accompanied by his brother Angus, and landed in New York on the 4th of July following. His uncle, Alexander Taylor, was a resident of Champaign county, Ohio, and to that place lie directed his course. In Urbana he found a home with Douglas Luce, learned tlie trade of tanner and cur- rier, and remained their four years. In Oc- tober, 1839, he came to Illinois, accompanied by his four brothers, making the journey with a teanı. They settled in Cass county and bought a tract of land four miles north- west of Virginia.
At that time this county was sparsely set- tled. Deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful, and for several years there was not a railroad in the country. In 1840 Mr. Taylor made a visit to Chicago, going by the most convenient and expeditious route at that time, namely, by teamn to Beardstown, steamer to Peru, and stage to Chicago. Chi- cago's population was thien about 5,000. A hotel and a few slab shanties were the only
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buildings on the north bank of the river. He put up at the Mansion House, which then stood opposite the Tremont, after six weeks spent in the city returned to Cass county. From Chicago to Bureau county he rode with a farmer who had been to the city to market his grain. Then he walked to Peru, where he took a steamer for Beardstown.
For sixteen years he lived on the land lie and his brothers purchased. At the expira- tion of that time lie rented it and purchased the farm lie now owns and occupies in the Sangamon river bottoms, located in section 18 of township 18, range 10. He has been very successful as a fariner, has purchased other lands at different times, and is now the owner of upward of 1,000 acres.
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